My glasses have been driving me crazy. If you wear corrective lenses, you will probably have at least a tiny bit of empathy.
I’ve worn glasses since I was in third grade. If it wasn’t for high index lenses which are thinner and lighter than previous versions, mine would be the “coke bottle” variety in terms of thickness. My glasses are the first thing I put on in the morning and the last I take off at night.
A few weeks ago, my glasses broke. When I went to retrieve them from the glasses case in which they reside when I am wearing my prescription sunglasses, I discovered them there, snapped in half right at the bridge which rests on my nose. Don’t know what happened–my guess is they were really, really cold and too much pressure on them as I rummaged in or added to the contents of my purse (the glasses case is a soft-sider) did them in. Thankfully, I always keep my old glasses when I get a new pair, so I had a backup till replacement frames could be procured.
I didn’t notice till I got home from picking up the new frames from my eye doctor’s optical service that they didn’t really sit straight on my face. (I have discovered over the years that my face is a little lopsided; my eyes are not level.) I went back a few days later for an adjustment to the fit and I thought they were okay. But, they are still not right. I have fiddled with them–always a big mistake–and now they are worse. At this point, the bifocal lenses don’t hit my eye in the right place and, simply put, I don’t see straight. Kudos to Wal-Mart optical for almost always getting it right–I’ll be stopping there tomorrow when I take Zach to work, and I am pretty sure I will be helped.
This not seeing straight has set me thinking. If you read this blog or know me otherwise, you know that my husband’s current job will end May 31, due the closing of the university campus where he is a faculty member. At this point, another job is no where in sight. While I have no doubt that God’s faithful provision in our lives will not suddenly end on May 31 (He is unchanging God and His interaction with us up till now has been as, among many other things, Faithful Provider.), sometimes it is easy to wonder what God is doing when the “how” is not evident. From that wondering, it is one short jump to living in a perpetual state of “gray”.
It occurred to me today that, just as my out-of-whack glasses keep me from seeing straight, so it is with my faith outlook. The Wal-mart optical department equivalent for my spiritual sight, I believe, is gratitude. It’s looking at the half-full glass, instead of the space in the empty part. It’s praising Him for all that is past, and trusting Him for all that is to come (paraphrase of song lyrics). It’s focusing on a God who is good…all the time. It is through that lens of gratefulness that I will see straight.
“Seek the LORD and His strength…remember His wonders which He has done.” (Psalm 105:4-5)
This makes me feel blessed that I still have a reliable pair of my eyes. I don’t need eye glasses or lenses at all. But of course, soon when I am already old I would be needing these.
I can so relate to wearing glasses starting in third grade. I forgot to wear them one day, but never since. Oh that I would never forget to fully rest on God’s promises.
I can relate to much of what you have written. I however have wore glasses since I was 1 1/2. No I am not bragging. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Seeing clearly at 50 is so much different than even 40. Recently, I have been heading toward tri-focals. I have 2 pair of glasses … one for driving and one for the computer. The inbetween state goes with either pair of glasses.
If a look at this from a spiritual sense, no matter what age we are or circumstances of life, we need to use what God has given to see him clearly. The inbetween state is where we currently are – the gray area. If we have our eyes focused on God as we go through life, we have those spiritual glasses on and he will show us clearly how to walk. Sometimes the direction he gives is wait, and I will walk with you through this. Othertimes things are much clearer and tells us clearly where to go. Let’s keep our spiritual eyes open to what God wants us to see and do.
Update on our life – Dale will eventually be retiring from GM, we aren’t sure when for sure. He is taking truck driving school to get his CDL license. He is also beginning a small business of his own working with Primerica. He is really excited about that. This will be a new direction for him, but is looking forward to the new challenge.
Amy,
Thank you for your authentic transparency via this blog and as you live out your daily life. Remember John 15…my pastor is continually talking about “pressing into Him…” and “tapping into the Vine…” Both of these are actions, things that must be pursued and won’t happen on their own. I’m realizing lately that apathy is no good and gets me no further than the effort I put in, at least no further than God’s grace provides, because I know that He comes and meets me more than half way sometimes when I don’t carry my share of the weight. He’s with you every step of the way, amidst it all, from the long, confident strides to the baby steps and stumbling and back again. He cares for you and so do I. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding – In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Your comments, Friends, encourage me…thanks for stopping by.