I’m pleased to be sharing this fun story with a profound message from my friend, Stacey, today. You can find more of Stacey’s writings about her life on her personal blog, A Life Repaired as well as encouragement for those battling chronic illness at Chronically Whole. Stacey is a fighter and a writer and she’s equally brilliant at doing both. I’m so honored to know her and call her friend.
I ordered a personalized bracelet from Darma Z. I’m not a leather cuff kind of gal but I loved the look of one that she hadĀ in her portfolio. The words she had on it didn’t fit me. So she’s making me one special. š
I asked her to put the word “see” on it. Simple. Lower case. Just “see”.
Some of my favorite words lately are grace, peace and hope but those are sort of overused on jewelry so I wanted something different and landed on a word that encompassedĀ all of those other good ones.
See…
See grace.
See peace.
See hope.
See love.
See brokenness.
See redemption.
See beauty.
See? It works.
I want to open up my heart eyes and see all that good God has for me.
And while I’m doing that, I should take my shoes off.
Isn’t it like us to keep our shoes on (aka heart closed off) and keep all things potentially painful at bay and not allow ourselves to see? Really see.
If we walk barefoot we might step on something painful but it also means we FEEL!
We all have stories. Some of our stories are out there and some stay hidden until it’s time. God is being so faithful to show me so many stories in people around me that I didn’t see before. Even my own! I didn’t take the time to see. Perhaps I didn’t WANT to see.
What I’m learning, and it’s a molasses-slow process for this girl, is that God wants me to see what HE is doing all around me. His work, His Heaven. It surrounds me. Even in my hidden story and your hidden story. I only have to take my shoes off, open my heart eyes and… see.
May I encourage you to take our shoes off for a little while today (either figuratively or literally)? Feel the feelings you need to. Even the painful ones. Open the eyes of your heart. And see.
~Andrea
“Open your eyes and seeĀ how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.” Ā ~Psalm 34:8
Empty Plate . Full Heart 