"Let me see your eyes"

We could never be sure they were listening until faces turned and eyes lifted up. Eye to eye, face to face, important messages were delivered. A house full of children, pets and toys, laundry and chores, music and laughter, many distractions - some enticing, some necessary - prompted us to realize that we could not be sure that the child we were talking to was receiving our message unless we could see their eyes. We really should not hold a child to the consequences of disobedience unless we KNEW that the instruction had been received.

Be it encouragement for a difficult moment, a strong word of caution, or a fervent declaration of love, Phil and I constantly asked, "Let me see your eyes".

In turn, our children realized if they had something important to say, or to ask, they also needed to be sure our eyes were fully engaged - for where mama's eyes were so was her attention. They quickly learned that if I was doing two or three or more things at once, they were not likely to get answer from me.
"Turn your face", they would say, or they would reach out and turn it for me.

Thank you, sweet Jesus for the invitation to ask for Your full attention, Your eyes fully upon me and through me.  Let me turn away from all that distracts me, competes for my glances, to set my face fully upon You, to receive all that you offer in counsel, instruction, encouragement, affection.  Let me see You - provision, position, power -  and all that troubles me falls away.
For where my eyes are, so will I be.  

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."

Numbers 6:23-26