You Can't See for Looking
Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:1–2 (NLT)
When I was young, my father liked to explain difficult concepts and life lessons by using all kinds of idioms and expressions. However, what happened was I’d often miss the main lesson because I was caught up with trying to understand the meaning of the expression, itself.
One of his favorites that baffled me was, “You can’t see for looking.” My goodness, I didn’t get that phrase. Now, I know it means how a person can get so focused on searching for something that they don’t see what’s in front of them. Maybe a person has gotten so used to seeing something that they don’t notice it anymore.
My father used this expression to redirect my mind when I wanted to wallow in one of my pity-parties. I’d often kick off the party with: “Why me? Why is this happening?” I’d go on and on about why my life was the worst it could be, always ready to describe a sad, disappointing, and painful situation. Daddy was kind enough to allow me time at the pity-party, but then, he’d gently announce, “You can’t see for looking.”
I remember the day we sat on my front steps not long after I had become the sole owner of my home after my recent divorce. A broken appliance had set me off on my pity-party. (Although my father was a skilled handyman, if he couldn’t fix it, he knew someone who could. He was my personal Google.) He listened to me lament about how my life as a divorced mother of three children was so rough.
One of his favorites that baffled me was, “You can’t see for looking.” My goodness, I didn’t get that phrase. Now, I know it means how a person can get so focused on searching for something that they don’t see what’s in front of them. Maybe a person has gotten so used to seeing something that they don’t notice it anymore.
My father used this expression to redirect my mind when I wanted to wallow in one of my pity-parties. I’d often kick off the party with: “Why me? Why is this happening?” I’d go on and on about why my life was the worst it could be, always ready to describe a sad, disappointing, and painful situation. Daddy was kind enough to allow me time at the pity-party, but then, he’d gently announce, “You can’t see for looking.”
I remember the day we sat on my front steps not long after I had become the sole owner of my home after my recent divorce. A broken appliance had set me off on my pity-party. (Although my father was a skilled handyman, if he couldn’t fix it, he knew someone who could. He was my personal Google.) He listened to me lament about how my life as a divorced mother of three children was so rough.
I’m sure it sounded like I was the first person to find myself in this situation. Daddy shared his perspective and made it clear that I was overlooking many of the blessings in my life. He went on to name them one by one—pointing out things I took for granted.
I wasn’t paying attention to what God had already provided—though it was in plain view. I focused too much on looking for what I didn’t have, and skipping over all the good things God has done for me. Sitting on my front steps that day, it became clear that I should not miss any opportunity to see Jesus at work in my life and be thankful for it.
I wasn’t paying attention to what God had already provided—though it was in plain view. I focused too much on looking for what I didn’t have, and skipping over all the good things God has done for me. Sitting on my front steps that day, it became clear that I should not miss any opportunity to see Jesus at work in my life and be thankful for it.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the amazing ways you bless us, and for the gift of remembrance—of loved ones and the sweet lessons of life you taught us through them. None of our experiences should be a lesson lost. Help us to really see, and not take for granted, what an incredible gift you gave us in your Son. Amen.
REFLECT
Take a moment to think about your blessings. What might you be overlooking right now because you’re focused elsewhere? What blessings do you see in others’ lives that you can share to encourage them?
Heavenly Father, thank you for the amazing ways you bless us, and for the gift of remembrance—of loved ones and the sweet lessons of life you taught us through them. None of our experiences should be a lesson lost. Help us to really see, and not take for granted, what an incredible gift you gave us in your Son. Amen.
REFLECT
Take a moment to think about your blessings. What might you be overlooking right now because you’re focused elsewhere? What blessings do you see in others’ lives that you can share to encourage them?
