Sean and I are on the plane, returning from our trip to CA. Prior to liftoff, we hear a strange sound in the seat in front of us; it is the sound of a little girl blowing raspberries. She obviously enjoys making this sound because she keeps doing it over and over and over again.
I peek through the space between the seats to see the little one sitting on her daddy’s lap. She looks to be a year old and is facing her father. I wonder if the father is annoyed with his daughter for the repetitive lip-buzzing sounds she is producing. On the contrary, his eyes are full of delight as he gazes at his little girl. It is obvious that she is the “apple of his eye.”
The little girl’s eyes are locked into the eyes of her daddy. Her face beams with joy. The smile on her face is contagious. As I continue to observe the little girl, I notice that her face is that of a child with Down Syndrome. Her disability in no way diminishes the joy and delight that radiate from her father’s eyes.
The little girl sees me looking at her and turns her gaze upon me. She gives me one of her beaming smiles. Her father turns to look at me. His eyes seem to say, “Isn’t my daughter wonderful? I absolutely adore my little princess!”
For days after this experience, I think about the look in that father’s eyes. I think about how deeply he loves his little girl. Tears fill my eyes as I am overwhelmed by such tenderness.
Reflection
How does my Heavenly Father look at me?
Is He annoyed by how frequently I repeat the same mistakes over and over?
Is He ashamed of me because of the failures of my past?
NO!
Does my Heavenly Father look at me with the same delight and tenderness as the father on the plane?
YES!
YES! My Heavenly Father, my Abba, loves me.
YES! My Abba Father looks at me with delight.
YES! My Abba Father tenderly holds me and whispers in my ear how much I mean to Him.
If I could keep that picture of His tender, loving eyes looking at me, then perhaps my face would beam with joy just like that little girl on the plane.
Scripture
“Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5 NIV)
Prayer
Father God,
Thank you for sharing with me such a beautiful picture of Your love. Help me to focus on Your loving gaze so that I might dispel the clouds of shame. May my face be radiant as I share Your love with others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Shout out to the Daddy on the plane. Your love for your little girl is so precious. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Photo courtesy of Pexels
