Through a Child's Eyes

Once again, God has used me being with my grandchildren as a spiritual lesson. The children are less than two years old, so everything is new and grand and awesome to them. In fact, Amelia has learned that some things have a WOW factor! She says wow in a whispery voice drawing out the O in the middle of that 3 letter word. When Bryson spies a hummingbird he grins and points and utters something in that special baby language that only he understands. Much to my chagrin, this has called my attention to things I so often take for granted. Amelia and Bryson are seeing the world with brand new eyes and all of creation they encounter elicits a WOW in one way or another. The Lord has pointed out to me that I need to see with a fresh look as well.

There are several passages of scripture that come to mind when thinking of our view of the world and God’s creation. The first verses that God took me to were from Psalm 8:1, 3-4, O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. (3) When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; (4) what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that thou visitest him? From Psalm 19:1, the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. I also think Psalm 24:1 fits the lesson today; the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein.

Wide-eyed wonder. Spirit and mind like a sponge soaking in all the goodness God has to offer. No analysis. No intellectual debate. No personal agendas. Just pure faith. Pure trust. Awe. These are the eyes of the children.

Watching them gives me joy at their joy, excitement with their excitement and in their way, I think they are praising the God who created it all! They each make a joyful noise as they respond and take in each new and exciting thing they encounter daily.

Are you seeing things as I did, with dull, old eyes … or do you see with the eyes of a child those things that God has set before us; His creation for us to enjoy, His glory that we see in the sunrise or sunset, the joy of the children discovering their world?

The words of the hymn Open My Eyes by Clara H. Scott are my prayer today; won’t you make it yours too?

Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!