people watchers

God Sees All

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

She asked me to help.  As I stood at her desk, I happened to see an email that was not for my eyes.  I saw words I shouldn’t have seen.  What was I to do now?  I couldn’t unsee what I shouldn’t have seen.  It wasn’t my information to see.  It wasn’t my news to share.  I couldn’t erase it.  I had to keep quiet.

It wasn’t a place I wanted to be.  Knowing information that I shouldn’t know.  Once known, it’s always known.  Now the waiting begins.  Until someone else shares the news.  I wasn’t going to spread gossip.  Even if the information was true.  I was keeping quiet.

I recently overheard one side of a conversation.  She was on the phone in the ladies room.  First thing in the morning.  I overheard words she spoke in private.  I took a pregnancy test this morning.  It was positive.  It was a conversation she didn’t want anyone to hear.  But there we were.  In the same room.  At the same time.  I didn’t know her.  She didn’t know me.  But now I know something about her that she wanted kept private.  What am I to do?

I couldn’t unhear what I had overheard.  I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.  I didn’t even know her, but now I know her secret.  I know information that I wasn’t supposed to know.  I’m keeping the news to myself.

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.  Proverbs 15:3

There is one who sees everything, hears everything and knows everything.  That is not me.  That is God.

Is the fact that God sees all a warning to you, or is it an encouragement to you?

I read that sentence in the daily devotion, and it jumped out at me.  I guess it just depends on the day.  That’s what I think.

I need to be reminded that every word I say is heard.  Every thought I think is read.  Every action I take is seen.  What I say and do in secret, really isn’t secret.  How often should I be ashamed and confess?

Some days I need to be reminded that I am being watched. That all my words and actions are seen and heard by God.  I need the nudge to be kinder.  To say polite words.  To use my indoor voice.  To treat others the way I want to be treated.  I do need that watchful eye on me.  Even when I want to hide.

Other days, just knowing that God sees all feels like a gentle hug of comfort to me.  It feels as if I’m sitting in front of a fire keeping warm.  It tells me that I’m not overlooked when I’m feeling lonely.  It reassures me that I’m being seen when I feel unseen.  It lets me know that he sees my needs and will provide.

A popular song tells us that God is watching us.  from a distance.  If that is true, then why do I feel him closer than a heartbeat?  Why do I sometimes feel that he’s walking right beside me?  Why do I feel a nudge when I’m disobedient?  Can a God who sees me from a distance be so close?  At the same time?

       In a world quick to condemn, criticize and overreact, be quick to be kind.                  ~~Rachel Macy Stafford 

Yes, please.  Because God is watching and he sees us when we condemn others.  When we criticize those who are different.  When we overreact to others when we’re misunderstood.  He also sees us when we’re kind.  And loving.  And caring.  When we serve others who may never acknowledge what we do.  He sees.  He sees us.  All the time.

People Watchers

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We have a neighborhood cat.  He roams the neighborhood at all hours of the day.  And night.   He walks through everyone’s yard.  Through the wooded ravine.  Down the middle of the street.  This cat knows more about the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood than any kid who lives here.   He’s always out and about.  Checking out the latest happenings.  He pops up just when you least expect him.

It seems that he’s always in my yard at the most inconvenient times.  He likes to taunt my dog.  He brings out the worst in my dog.  He knows what causes my dog to go ballistic.  He keeps coming back for more.  I think he enjoys having power over another animal.  He’s always on the prowl.  I don’t know why the neighbors allow their cat to roam.

There are people watchers.

A boss who likes to watch their employees.  Eavesdrop on conversations and butt in when they feel they’re the wisest voice around.  They publicly humiliate others.  They take advantage when it isn’t theirs to take.  They abuse their power all in the name of concern for others.

A teacher who studies her students as avidly as her students study for a test.  She watches her students’ behavior.  She wants to know if someone if cheating.  She gives awards for best performance or perfect attendance.  She looks for signs of abuse and neglect.

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.  Proverbs 15:3

There are other people watchers.  Watchers not of this world.   Watchers with good intentions.  Watchers with evil intentions.

Satan is known to roam the earth.  He’s even admitted it.  He doesn’t keep it a secret that he watches people.  He looks for people he can devour.  He searches for Christ followers who he can trick into following him.  He makes people sick and diseased.  He slyly convinces people to do things his way.  He pretends to be someone else.  Be on the lookout.  He’s coming for you.

There is still another people watcher.  His eyes search the earth for different reasons.  He wants to give strength to people who are fully committed to him.  He’s looking for the wise.  He’s constantly observing everyone on the earth to see what they’re doing.   He can see the entire human race all at the same time.  He is omnipotent.  He can be everywhere all at once.   He isn’t a magician.  He is God.

It seems to me that God and Satan are watching the same people.  God is watching His followers.  Those who are committed to him.  He’s looking for us, so he can strengthen us.  He will work for those who are fully committed to Him.  We are his job.  He works to protect us.  He is our helper.  Satan, on the other hand, is looking to fool us.  To trick us.  To tempt us.  He’s a deceiver.  He pretends to be a friend, so he can manipulate us into being like him.  That’s no friend.

Whether we want him to or not, God is watching us.  We can’t hide from him.  He has our best interests in mind.  He knows ahead of time the struggles we’ll face.  He sees us at our best.  He sees us at our worst.  He doesn’t take advantage of us.  He loves us.  No matter what he sees.