In the Eye of the Beholder – May 05, 2002
At the neighborhood picnic a toddler finishes eating a chocolate cupcake, and the evidence is all over his hands and face. We step back and make way for him, hoping none of his mess will touch us. Just then his grandmother picks him up, hugs him, and says, “Isn’t he cute?” And we think, “’Tis all in the eye of the beholder.”
What a glorious thing it would be if we could see each other as God sees us. He’s the Great Beholder—He sees all. And in spite of the messes we make, His arms are stretched out to us. He knows our potential. He embraces us and helps us brush off the crumbs and wipe away the stains that hinder our upward journey.
When we follow in His ways, seeing the beauty and possibilities in others, we can reach out to help them along their way. Employers can build confidence by giving gentle words of counsel when a mistake is made, and a compliment when a job is well done. Teachers rank high on the list of those who see the potential within a struggling soul. A high school band teacher possessed this gift. One of his struggling young students was discouraged. The sounds he forced out of his trombone sounded more like a sick cow than musical notes. After much effort, one pleasing sound finally came forth from his instrument. His teacher immediately patted him on the back and said, “You could become a trombone player.” The boy brightened and began to practice diligently. With encouragement from his teacher, he went on to earn first chair in his section, and gained enough confidence to run for student body president.
Nurturing the potential within another is giving a gift of love. And such gifts never go unnoticed. For we are always in the eye of the Great Beholder, whose arms are forever outstretched to each of us.
Program #3794