Daily Devotional for December 2, 2021

Early Tuesday morning, before Annalee went to our Mother’s Day Out program, she stopped by Dennis Hall, walked into my office, and proudly handed me a drawing.  It was her gift to me.

Like most drawings from five-year-olds, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at but I wanted to make a big deal out of it.

I said, “Annalee, this is a beautiful drawing.”  Then I pointed to one of the figures and said, “What is this?”  Annalee grinned and said, “It’s a monster.”

I pointed to the second image and said, “What is this?”  Annalee replied, “It’s a ghost.”

Then I pointed to the really scary looking figure and said, “What is this?”  Annalee smiled and said, “That’s you.”  “That’s me?” I replied.  Annalee shook her head yes and said, “That’s you with a beard.”

This got me thinking.

Annalee and I have very different interpretations of what I look like.

When I look in the mirror, I see a devastatingly handsome man – a real showstopper.

When Annalee looks at me, it is clear she thinks I fell out of the Ugly Tree and hit every branch on the way down.  Also, I am purple.

The good news is, even though we live in a society that places far too much emphasis on appearance, the opinion that matters most isn’t overly worried about our looks.  God sees our hearts.

When God sent Samuel to anoint the future king of Israel, Samuel was focused on outward appearance and stature.  God saw things differently.

God’s guidance to Samuel was simple: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

God looked at a young shepherd’s heart, and David became the next king.

This morning, when you look in the mirror, you will see your face.  Some of you, like me, will be impressed with your appearance.  Others, will wish for a different face.

No matter what category you fall in, know God is not the least bit impressed by your beauty or handsomeness.  What makes God happy is seeing a heart that is trying to live for him.  That’s you.

This morning, make the choice to have a pure heart free from greed, jealousy, and hatred.  Fill it with joy, love, and peace.

God will see what’s in your heart and when God sees someone intentionally trying to live for him, it brings a smile to his face.

I hope you make God smile.

Also, if Annalee gives you a drawing that makes you look like Sasquatch, just roll with it. 

It could always be worse. 

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins