Many people have told me over the years that I have pretty eyes. I appreciate that compliment very much, but I have always wondered why I have that characteristic. How did I get these eyes and why am I so lucky to have such nicely colored organs?
So people may refer to genetics to answer this question, but personally, I think that is too narrow a reason. Besides, my explanation is much easier to understand. I think that my eyes look the way they do because I have had the blessing of seeing so many beautiful things throughout my life. The accumulation of such beautiful things over time has made a combined imprint on my eyeballs as they take it all in, producing a natural mosaic of beauty.
So, I want to share some of those beautiful things I have seen over the past month or so.
· The noonday sun shimmering off dancing blades of grass in Keist Park.
· The faces of loved friends looking down with care on my pathetic, broken body trapped in a hospital bed.
· A squirrel repeatedly jumping onto the window screen at my apartment in a frantic attempt to come in and share some tea with me (I know this was his intention because I asked him).
· The face of a 6th grader when he has a mental breakthrough in understanding prime factors or the face of an eighth grader as she confidently describes a quadratic function.
· The joy of an African refugee who gets to share his story and how real God has been in his life.
· A warm, gooey homemade apple pie carefully crafted by the hands of newly made, but nonetheless good, friends. And the subsequent eating of that pie.
· A middle school five piece rock band jamming out for a roomful of screaming peers and satisfied parents.
· The early spring sun rising up over houses and buildings to bring a peaceful new day to all the cars stuck in the traffic jam extending across the exit ramp between I45 and I30E.
· The final victory screen in Mario Kart DS.
· The passion and desire of a friend who desperately wants to cultivate a prayer life that will immerse him in the presence of God.
· The majestic and wondrously painted inside of an Eastern Orthodox cathedral.
· Picture texts from my sister of her (far too frequent) encounters with that privileged class of people who own the three wolf moon shirt.
· The pristine orderliness and cleanliness of the green grass, flowing fountains, and stately trees on the SMU campus.
· The messiness and dirtiness of the Wesley House after hosting a week of many wonderful fellowship opportunities.
· A cloud that looked like sharp dinosaur claws closing in to secretly attack the science building.
· The back of my eyelids during a much needed nap in the park through part of my lunch break.
· The children that live in my apartment complex playing outside and the sidewalk chalk masterpieces they leave to make my walk out to the car so much more enjoyable.
· A poem written by a 6th grader in DISD hanging in the hall that was surprisingly good.
· Encouraging, joyful updates from friends who are far away.
· And, of course, many vivid and pastel, multi-colored, sunset painted skies that watch over the bustling city and draw the day to a close.
