Hidden in plain sight… that’s what happens to my “little” dog when he looses sight of his ball.  He misses it.  He walks all around it but it is obscured from his view somehow.  I can see it just fine and I call to him and pointing to where it is but still – he can’t seem to see it.  When this happens, I have to literally walk over and pick up the ball and show it to him.  He then recognizes it and is ready to go at it again and play ball.  So I throw the ball and he chases after it with all that is in him – as long as it stays in view.

As I walked back towards the deck, I remembered about how I was so much like my little dog – just the day before.  I had gone to our youth meeting.  I was very excited to be there, especially because one of my girls.  She was moving to the other side of the world was there and I had an opportunity to see her before she left. Then through the course of night, things kept popping up.  Well at the end of the night, a young man that I know very well, came bounding up and flashed me his proud accomplishment.  He had gotten his permit to drive. He was beaming with pride.  He hands me his new permit and I congratulate him and look over the permit.  I hand it back and say good night.   My mind a full of what had gone on that night.

I collapse in bed later and drift off to sleep.  I then woke with a JOLT at 4:00 am.  I had forgotten to acknowledge or say anything about a birthday.  The young man who came up to me – who showed me his new permit – with his birthdate on it.  It was that very day!  I completely missed it.  It was in plain sight but I somehow missed it.  I knew it was his birthday for he is a good friend of my son.  My son’s birthday was only two days before his.  Ugh! how could I miss it?

I could say a ton of excuses – all true and valid.  But the young man that was in-front of me didn’t want to hear any excuses.  He wanted to feel like he was valued and important.  But I missed it.  It was in plain sight and I missed it.

Even beyond that…. How many times a day does the Lord hold up something before my eyes?  How many times do I fail to see what He is truly showing me?  How many time do I fail to recognize what is important to Him?   I could give him excuses – both good and bad ones or say that I was distracted.  But what I need to do is wake up.  I need to apologize to My Jesus and tell Him that I value him.  I need to tell him I do care about what is important to him.  I am sorry that I couldn’t beyond me and see what was in plain sight.

Open my eyes that I may see….