Some friends and I sat at a table in a local restaurant. “Hi Amy!” I said looking in the direction of my friend’s 3-year-old. “Did you like your visit to Disney World?”
She didn’t answer.
“Honey,” her mommy said, “Mrs. Eckles can’t see. You have to say yes out loud, not just nod your head.”
We chuckled.
“Close your eyes,” her mom said. “That’s what Mrs. Eckles sees.”
We continued our visit. During the meal, her mom and I chatted about silly stuff. Suddenly, Amy’s mom paused. “I’m sorry, Amy; you can open your eyes now. And go ahead and eat your food.”
We hadn’t realized that during the whole time we were talking, she still had her eyes closed. Her plate of food, untouched, sat before her.
Setbacks and Disappointments
This scene reminded me when the sting of setbacks, the jolt of disappointment closed the eyes of my heart. And in the darkness of my pain, I missed God’s banquet set before me.
We all do that sometimes. The rehashing of negative details blocks the view. And dark memories of the wound cover the path to healing.
Blind to all that goodness, we test God’s patience. How often must He whisper, “Open those eyes and check out the banquet of blessings I placed before you. Look at the possibilities. Take a peek at what I have prepared for you.”
It’s All for Us
He offers and invites us to see what he designed. He longs to show us His hand at work right now. At this moment. In our current situation. And in the midst of today’s heartache.
In each of them, He’s preparing something new, something good and beautifully unexpected. He warns not to look back but focus ahead. “Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old. See, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:18-19).
Our days shine with hope, with fresh beauty and with delight when we choose to perceive what God is offering.
Let’s Pray
Father, open my eyes to see beyond my circumstance, beyond the hurt. And instead, help me to look at the colorful horizon painted by your love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What might God want you to see in the midst of your situation? {eoa}
Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and the author of four books. She has helped thousands conquer fear and bring back joy.
This article originally appeared at janetperezeckles.com.
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett