Monday, December 1, 2014

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE


Did you ever play that game?

I loved it.

I played it as a kid, and I played it as a mom.

It passed the time on long car trips.  It provided a distraction to stop fighting. It was a wonderful mental exercise.  It fostered creative thinking and problem-solving.

OK, let's admit it, it was just plain fun.

In some ways, I still play.

You see, I have this propensity to *see* faces.  (Not in a creepy "Sixth Sense movie" kind of way, mind you).

A lot of people see stuff in clouds.

I do that, too, but I see faces in trees and rocks and floor tiles and wallpaper and buildings and cars.

Don't laugh.

Because more often than not, if I point out my "discovery" to someone else, they see it, too.

I clearly remember one time when I was staying with my youngest son at his apartment.  He has these sticky tiles on his bathroom floor.  After using the facilities one day, I came out and said this:

"Hey, have you ever noticed that you can see Marty in your bathroom floor?"

(Marty is his beagle)

At first he looked at me like maybe I had been breathing sewer gas or something.  But he indulges me, so he finally said:

"Show me."

I did, he saw it, and agreed.  Yup, there was a little "beagle" prancing across the bathroom floor.

I see faces in car grilles – (you know, the headlights are the eyes, the bumper is the mouth).  Buildings have faces – (windows and doors make perfect facial features).  I've occasionally been spooked out by some eerie faces in wallpaper.

But I also see faces in nature.

For instance, on our property we have this big log that used to be part of a tree that fell down years ago.  I think it looks just like a sperm whale.  I've nicknamed it, "Moby Stick."  (I also have a propensity to name inanimate objects, by the way!)  There's a boulder that looks just like another kind of whale.  Its name?  "Rocky Beluga."

I'm not totally crazy.  "The Hub" saw it, too, when I pointed it out.  (Or maybe he's just kind enough to indulge his loony wife!)

So, today as I was getting into my car I actually said good-bye to Moby Stick. But then, I got thinking.  Am I nuts?  (Don't answer that, you guys...)  Yes, probably, but there is something inside of me that loves to "I Spy" stuff.

As I drove off, I started thinking about what makes us do this?  It's probably something in science having to do with the facial recognition processes in our brains, or perhaps psychology could offer an explanation for our tendency to anthropomorphize things.


But, there's a spiritual lesson here, too.

And over the next several minutes, God began to unfold it.


Two points:

One, the reason I see faces in things is because I'm looking for them.  They don't magically appear.  I'm always looking because I'm always half-expecting to find them.

And, in the same way, if we're looking for God, we'll see Him.

Sometimes I've been asked, how did you find a spiritual lesson in that?

And my best answer is – because I was looking for it, and God showed it to me.

You see, the open heart and the seeking eye will always find God.  

It's what He promises:

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)

Please understand, I am not bragging here.  I'm not saying that I see this stuff because I'm all "lah-di-dah" pious.  And don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times when I feel like God is hidden and silent and distant.

But, I try to make a practice of looking, and searching, and seeking for the Lord in the small things, in everything.  And lo and behold, more times than I can count, He lets me *see* Him.


The other point is this:

If I can see faces in things, and I can find God in things, are people seeing HIM in me?

Do they look at me and see HIS face?

I see faces in things because faces are recognizable by their features.  By the way they resemble the real thing.

Am I that way?

Are my spiritual "features" recognizable as belonging to someone who follows the Lord?  Do I resemble the real thing – Him?

We are called to this, you know.

"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."  (2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT)

"…be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (Ephesians 4:23-24, NASB)


I want to be a reflection of Him.

An accurate and true reflection.

Wouldn't it be awesome if people looked at us and said, "Oh, I see the face of the Lord in him/her!"

So, I'm pondering this.  Praying for this.

And learning that the only way to look like Jesus is to walk with Him.  Read about Him.  Talk to Him.

Follow Him ever so closely.


"I spy with my little eye, someone who looks like Jesus."

Oh, how I want that to be said of me!





May I always reflect
the image
of my Lord and Savior.


(This is a wood carving we have in our home...
...do you see the face?!) 



"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." 
(Matthew 7:7, NLT)

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29, NIV)

"Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God..." 
(1 Chronicles 22:19, NASB)

"...acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.  If you seek him, he will be found by you..." (1 Chronicles 28:9, NIV)

"'I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.  They will be my people, and I will be their God...'" (Jeremiah 24:7, NIV)

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 
(2 Corinthians 5:15, NIV)

"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." 
(John 3:30, NLT)



Do people see the face of Jesus in you?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WTIH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS  AT SOUL SURVIVAL, SALT & LIGHT, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, DECEMBER JOY BLOGHOP, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, UNITE, TITUS 2SDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY'S PRAYER GIRLS, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, THRIVING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAYTHOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LISTSHINE, MISSIONAL WEEKEND, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, A GROUP LOOK, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAYSTILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREWSATURDAY SOIREE, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

42 comments:

  1. Yes! I saw the face right away, and I am oddball enough to see faces in places too. It's so nice that you have given me a reason to think it is a virtue, or at least a grace, and not just a quirk.

    I loved what you said about Others seeing God in us. That was one of the reasons that I disconnected from others and sat under God in recent months. Honestly, I knew that what they would see if they got too close was a sad and desperate face, and I knew that didn't reflect the face of faith.

    The greatest compliment I have ever gotten in my life was from an old man at the church after I the first time I did a narration. He said, "Debbie, the Lord was so huge up there that I couldn't even see you behind Him." It was the most amazing thing to have someone say, and I have (for lack of a better word) "coveted" that evaluation ever since.

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  2. This is something to really think about, Sharon. Do others see Jesus in me? I sure hope so! I know what you mean about being observant and looking for things. I would love to see your Moby Dick sometime, how cute you say goodbye to him (I would see myself doing the same thing)

    betty

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  3. Thank you Sharon! I so delighted in reading about the "I spy" faces in things... and naming 'em, but I absolutely love all the ways you tie your posts into a spiritual lesson so this statement is what I love the best and jumped out at me: "You see, the open heart and the seeking eye will always find God."
    Love this! And then leading up to yet another wonderful one of "reflecting Jesus":
    "I spy with my little eye, someone who looks like Jesus."

    "Oh, how I want that to be said of me!" I believe this would be what I would want said about me in my passing ... that others saw Jesus in me. What a beautiful tribute that would be to have said of each of us. When you look in someone's face, look into their eyes ... I believe you can see their soul (really I do) and to their heart.

    I do see the face immediately and what a treasure to have in your home! (just the photo is great!) There's a person in there. If all the faces you see are as clear as this ... wow! I too like "betty" would like to see photos of your "Moby Dick" and "Rocky Beluga" or "Marty" (not that I don't believe you, just to see) ... so let's have a "blog post" on each of these :)

    This is as good as they get ... diamonds in the rough yet sad to say my answer to your question is I hope so but not yet ... this is why we tarry so long on this earthly journey, waiting for that carving to be visible in us.

    Blessings and much love,
    Peggy

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  4. Hi Sharon! I agree that you see because you look. I kept remembering the phrase "Wise men still seek him..." So I think you see faces in all things because God is in all things, and his creatures too.
    I can tell you that I see God in you. I don't see your face on a daily basis, but I know enough to know that you live with him, so you can't block his life in you. What a grace that is!
    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday my friend,
    Ceil

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  5. Yes! I see it...that's awesome! I see faces (and sometimes other body parts) too in things. Where I work, there is a person (not sure if male or female) holding two dumbells down to their sides on the back of the bathroom door...almost full-sized and they have no head. It's in the wood grain! Seriously, this post is awesome, Sharon...and all I really want is for folks to see Jesus in me.

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  6. Hi Sharon! I find myself seeing faces or other things often. I then have to really focus on what I am looking at to stop seeing that face! As you have stated: I want to be a perfect reflection of the ONE who is worthy to be seen and reflected.

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  7. What a great point you make, Sharon. We're more likely to see God when we seek God! I want to see him everywhere too. Thanks for the encouragement tonight to keep looking.

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  8. Oh Sharon, you are due to begin seeing into the spiritual third dimension, as a see-er. It is not crazy because when God begins to show you things that others do not see, you will realize they are a call to prayer. Don't be spooked when God begins to reveal things probably in a dream or other ways. Just know that He can do however and what ever he wants to do. Love your post and why not see things it is Okay! Thanks for sharing at Tell me a story.

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  9. Hi Sharon, Yes I see the face. I often look at the clouds too and see things in them. Yes, I agree we need to seek to find.

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  10. I saw the face too. I don't know how many times I have seen faces in things - once in awhile - but whenever I see a homeless person - a sick person - something like that - I think that could be God himself.

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  11. I caught myself nodding in this, not because of the facial recognition in objects as much as the naming and speaking with inanimate objects (birds and trees and the like). We just put our Christmas tree up - Fernandito the 5th - and every time I leave or come home, I say hi to him. Glad to know someone else relates to this ;-D And I've found what you're saying to be true in my experience, too - the more we are looking for something, the more we see it. The more I go through life looking for everyday beauty, for instance, the more I see it. Thanks for this application.

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  12. I see the face! Oh for eyes that look, that find, and that radiate the witness therein. Keep looking, friend!

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  13. Delightful post packed with meaning. I never played that game....but it sounds like fun. Oh, I hope and pray people see Jesus in me too!

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  14. I am forever seeking spiritual application in things, too! And I often see "random" faces in things as well. As always, you have done such a great job at pulling out the scriptural truths. Yes, Sharon, I do believe we see God in you!

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  15. That carving is awesome! I forgot about that game that I played with my girls, youngest especially. I also see images in everything, it's the eyes that God gave us to see His glory in not only the gigantic ways, but the tiny ones close to our hearts as well.

    We have a stone floor. I can sit and literally see something in every piece of cut stone. Each one is like a piece of art. Glad to have the eyes to see the glory of our Father.

    I'm not sure if we would be called "great minds", but whatever we are, we think alike!

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  16. I just loved how the two spiritual lessons you shared are one we discussed yesterday in my Bible Study Fellowship class. A few quotes...
    "God responds and reveals Himself to those who seek Him. And there is always more for Him to reveal to you."
    "God intends for His glory to be seen in our lives."
    "God reveals His glory to us and then earnestly through us."
    Just good stuff!
    I have been so encouraged lately to seek God first and to seek Him often. May He keep transforming this heart of min so I will reflect His glory.
    Thank you for your always encouraging, and fun to read, posts.
    Much love.
    xoxo

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  17. My 5-year-old son and I play "I Spy" while waiting for his allergy shots. I love this analogy and am so thankful God lets us find him whenever we look for him. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  18. I am so glad that we are neighbors over at Jennifers' place today for #TellHisStory! I see faces too! LOL... I see them in bathroom tiles and in trees and clouds and ...yes! I even remember looking for them with a magnifying glass in magazine ads way back in the 70s! Subliminal messages or mere coincidence... we loved seeing them! My sister is a self supported artist and she sees animals, dogs mostly, in things all the time - and sketches them out! So fun! And amen... how I pray that people can see His reflection in me as well!

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  19. I love counting gifts for a similar reason. To be fully aware of all the blessings in my life, I have to take notice of them and record them. My Bible reading this morning also encouraged me to be humble as Jesus was humble to show others the love of Christ. I love reading similar messages in a variety of venues. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  20. Oh my! You sound a lot like me. I'm reading your blog by way of Holley Gerth. I love to travel and I see some sights on your blog I would like to see! Interesting title on this page--my blog is called Keep a sharp eye. I hope to see you there someday.

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  21. You would love the book Stranger in the Woods. Two of the "characters" are snow drifts! I loved your take away lessons. God uses you to bless and speak to so many people, Sharon. The imagination and creativity He has blessed you with is inspiring. Thank you for obediently sharing each week!

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  22. Oh, dear friend! If only you could see! The light of Jesus' love shines through you in SO many wonderful, precious ways! Every blog post, every comment, every email, every encounter I have with you...I am left with the feeling that I have just come into contact with the love of Jesus in human form. Truly, you are one of the most precious encouragers I have ever met or known. I thank God SO much for bringing you into my life. I love you dearly.

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  23. I hope people see Jesus in me. What a fascinating post, Sharon. You are one amusing write and fun friend! Love ya.

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  24. This is fantastic, a little out there but I love it, thank you for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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  25. Hi Sharon, I love love love this post. I see faces too and now when I see faces I'm going to see and recognize more of the Lord everywhere. I can't look at something in nature without seeing the Lord, now if I see any faces I will be thinking of you, lol and looking more for the Lord. Yes, He will be found if we seek Him. Have a blessed weekend friend
    God bless
    Tracy

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  26. I definitely saw the face-very very cool! I have a friend who sees faces in everything...he's always posting them on FB. You're not alone. Love the lesson in this. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Popping over from Thoughtful Thursdays =) What a beautiful post! I will be looking for faces now. Might have to be more purposeful in my Wordless Wednesday posts and find pics with faces.

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  28. Hi Sharon,
    I'm popping over from Thoughtful Thursday. Thanks for linking up.
    My youngest also loves to play 'I Spy'.
    God is so Awesome. He has wired our brains to find what we set our minds to look for. The brain 'mechanism' is called the reticular activator. It's a wonderful thing. Our brain tells our eyes what to see, not our eyes telling our brains. That is how many people can look at the same thing and see many different things.
    Blessings - Trish

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  29. Sharon, love the point about seeing because you are looking, expecting. I don't usually see things in material things, or nature thing unless someone points them out to me. But I do expect to see God in others, events, circumstance, situations, trials, good times, etc. I on purpose look for His ways and it gives me great joy to be able to do so. Good post ...

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  30. Girl, I have to say-- you are one of my favorite blogs I visit ALL WEEK. I absolutely love this post-- and reminds me of my Everyday Jesus concept. To see God we have to be looking for Him. Lately, I found him in our army thrift store via a ball gown that fit perfect (for $11!), in the Target shopping cart of my *gasp* well behaved toddler, and at the bottom of this new ginormous Scripture-laden coffee mug. He is everywhere-- we just have to look.

    PS: I am glad you don't see faces in a creepy 6th sense kind of way.
    PSS: You aren't crazy. Or if you are, I am crazy with you. And it is fun way to live. Love you.

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  31. What a beautiful, inspiring, and thought-provoking God. Looking for God - we will always find Him. Perfect.

    This has really stirred my spirit.

    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop!

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

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  32. i came here from fellowship Friday sharon. i enjoyed your post. thanks a lot. great challenge.

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  33. We have an old vintage mirror in our bedroom - it has a lions face on it where the silver backing is coming undone. Once I pointed out a funny face in our wooden bookshelf to my hubby. Once you see these things, you can't unsee them can you?! Love the lesson in looking and seeking :)

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  34. You are wise and the right amount of crazy! ;) I'll bet your family loves that you keep things interesting.

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  35. I see faces in things, too! To readily see God's face is my heart's desire. Your posts always bless me, Sharon.

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  36. I see the faces, too -- in tiles, and sidewalks, and clouds, and more. Even more, I see the letter Y. I'm always on a Y hunt. I see Ys in plane contrails, cracks in the road, tree branches, etc. The Y stands for Yahweh, and it's an ever-present reminder of His ever-present Love.

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  37. you're a definite kindred spirit Sharon, b/c I too see faces in everything. My kids know and now they see them too. Have a great weekend and I hope every face you see is smiling back at you. You shine.

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  38. Lovely post and lovely piece of wood. I find faces in objects as well. It's kind of fun!

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  39. That piece of wood is just so a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! I loved this post. Yes! I want to be a reflection of Jesus. Count me 'in' Sharon!!

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  40. "But, I try to make a practice of looking, and searching, and seeking for the Lord in the small things, in everything. And lo and behold, more times than I can count, He lets me *see* Him."

    I love this and yes, I have seen faces before! You are not loony! :) I have a waterfall painting and I can see a face in it! I have never put it with the lesson of looking for God before! Thanks for this inspiration and linking up with Inspire Me Monday!

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  41. Excellent post, Sharon! I love that God wants us to find Him--He wants us to know Him. He reveals Himself in His Word, in His world, and best of all, in His Son. Once we know Him it is easy to see Him in all kinds of places. Many blessings to you!

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  42. Love it. I hope everyone 'spies' Jesus in me!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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