A DIFFERENT DAY
Today's reading: Ezekiel 43-48

"And the Lord said to me, Son of man, take careful notice; use your eyes and ears. Listen to everything..." Ezekiel 44:5 NLT

If I hadn't noticed, I'd have never see him. The boy with tears running down his face. The boy who covered up his face with his t-shirt in an effort to hide. The boy who had lived 8 of his 15 years waiting for his birth mom to 'come back' like she said she would. He spilled his guts out to me between sobs--and I'd have missed it had I not been using my eyes.

If I hadn't noticed, I'd have never seen her. The grown woman with tears running down her face. The woman who put on a brave face. The woman who continued with her volunteer duties, pushing her own issues aside. The woman who was losing her father to cancer. The woman who shared with me that hospice had given him only about 48 more hours. She needed a hug--and I'd have missed it had I not been using my eyes.

I don't want to walk past anyone today that might need Jesus. Or at least the Jesus He allows me to be today. I don't want to be so wrapped up in my own stuff that I fail to recognize another's hurts.

I don't want to be talking so much about my issued I fail to hear someone else's cries.

I don't want to be so busy looking ahead at my planner that I fail to see someone in need.

I don't want to be so busy listening to all I think I should that I fail to hear someone quietly sobbing on the back pew.

I want to take careful notice, using my ears, my eyes and my heart.