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Oct 16, 2022 06:00am

Turn Your Eyes

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I am blessed to live where we have four definite “seasons” of the year. Of course, the length of those seasons seems to vary each year, especially here in Arkansas where one of our favorite phrases is, “If you don’t like the weather, stick around for a few minutes and it will change!”
My favorite season is definitely autumn, and although it has taken its sweet time getting here this year it is always worth waiting for, however impatiently. The crispness in the air, the smell of burning leaves, the colorful mums and the beautiful leaves are only a few of the things that make fall so special.
This time of year also brings the various fairs and carnivals with cotton candy (and all kinds of other good “food on a stick”), displays of homemade jellies, jams and other delectables and so much more. Unlike most people, one of the things I don’t like so much are the “rides” — ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl and especially the roller coaster. I guess I’m not very adventurous, and my tummy sure isn’t!
Back when our children were small, we took them to Six Flags Over Texas, where they had the biggest roller coaster I’d ever seen. It was definitely not calling my name, but our son (who was about 8), daughter (about 6) and their considerably older father really wanted to ride it. I was okay with Bobby and his dad riding together, and I thought for sure Trina wouldn’t reach the “minimum height” line that was prominently displayed, so I’d be off the hook. But wouldn’t you know it, she hit right on the line. (I even checked to make sure she wasn’t tiptoeing!)
What else could I do? We loaded into the car behind the boys and off we went.
For a while, she was all smiles and giggles. She was so very excited… then we went over the top of the first “rise,” plunged downward at an alarming speed and her giggles turned into screams of terror that I’m sure could be heard in the next county!
I kept saying, “Trina Girl, Trina Girl… look at Mommy!” When she finally did, her screaming stopped and she started smiling, however tentatively. Then she would slowly turn back to the scary scene and the screams would grow even louder. That scenario continued for what had to be the longest roller coaster ride of the century. When we got off, I don’t know which hurt more — my tummy or my ears!
Why did Trina calm down when she looked at me? Because she was looking into the eyes of someone who loved her more than anyone else in the world, someone who had always been there for her and always would be.
That day on the roller coaster was over 40 years ago, but I’ve thought about it many times since then and related it to my relationship with Jesus that started over 60 years ago. That was when I confessed my sins and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I was not quite 12 when that happened, and I’ve turned my eyes on Him many, many times through the years. Why wouldn’t I? He is the one who loves me most (not because of who I am but because of who He is) and has never (and never will) failed me.
When my mind’s eye looks at my Savior, I know everything is going to be okay regardless of how scary my circumstance. But when I turn from Him and look at the world around me, the screams in my head would put Trina’s to shame. Why do I do that?
There is so much in our world that can cause us to panic — the Ukrainian situation and the threat of nuclear war, an economy that seems to have hit rock bottom with skyrocketing gasoline and grocery prices, the threat of COVID still looming and the list goes on and on. That’s in addition to things we face every day — relationship problems, sickness, death… well, you get the idea. If I keep going, I’m afraid I’ll have some of you screaming!
So what’s the answer? One of my favorite songs says it best: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Of course, that thought wasn’t original with the one who wrote those lyrics. Verse after verse in the Bible tells us to come to Him with our burdens and concerns. One of my favorites is Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, (look at me) all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”
So I hope you’ll join me as I make a commitment to let the crisp fall air of autumn (and every breath He allows me to take in every other season) serve as a reminder to “keep my eye on the prize” and let Jesus do all the worrying for me. After all, He’s going to be up all night anyway!