I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

Psalm 32:8 (WEB)

I remember telling my little ones as they toddled around the house, to pay attention to the rules because I had my eye on them. And there was the day that Andy separated the hair on the back of my head as he rode in the backseat of the car, looking for the eyes in the back of my head. Moms seems to have that innate ability to discern with our ears what our eyes may not be able to see.

The past month, I’ve navigated life with just one eye due to an infection in the eyeball. It’s amazing how the brain learns to compensate so that I can continue driving, reading, putting on makeup, even doing some mending. But there are definite disadvantages that require some concentration. Depth perception is distorted. With all the screens that are now in our lives, pressing the right button can be challenging. Reading traffic signs in an unfamiliar area is hard.

Whereas two eyes are better, yet, the Lord only needs one eye to counsel me. Of course, He sees everything, however, I need help and the best thing I can do is to keep my eye on Him. With so many distractions for our attention — family, friends, work, school, phone, computer, iPad, TV — giving Jesus our focused attention takes purpose and time. If we want to know what He is thinking as we struggle with a decision, a disappointment, or even basking in His love, getting up the extra thirty minutes to read and pray is a good start.

Our eyes are usually the go-to sense in unfamiliar situations. I’m reading a fiction book, Guiding Emily, about a young woman who suddenly lost her eyesight  due to a fall. As the fear and depression envelop her, hope enters in the form of a furry friend, a guide dog. Her life is altered but no less significant or independent with the aid of her guide.

We have a guide, too. The Holy Spirit is in us to give us strength for each challenge. He speaks for us when we don’t have the words. He comforts when the pain is overwhelming. He gives us joy when we have lost hope. We are not alone.

I encourage you to open your eyes today and look around. It may be sunny and warm like we have it in Arizona, or frigid, icy, and snowbound like it is in the Chicago area as reported to me by a friend. But most of all, I encourage you to look to the One who saves, counsels, and guides us each day. You are not alone.