How We May See Each Other: A Proposal

There are times when I’ve been pretty honest on this blog.

Times when I’ve exposed deep places of my heart; times when I’ve even shared deep places of our home-life, for better and for worse. Always, my motivation is to show the miraculous grace of God. Always, my desire is to be honest about our human walk on this planet – the ways in which we fall, and the ways in which we triumph. Always, my most vulnerable posts are blessed by my husband and the Lord. If not, I remove them. (If you’re a blogger, you may also know the turmoil of a post that is not!)

When I write about our short-comings, my hope is that you would see the way in which God rescues and redeems us.

When I write about our victories, my hope is that you see God’s generosity and unrelenting love that causes us to triumph in His name.

I am trusting that when I tell our stories, you are reading them with renewed eyes; believing God’s words for us – that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation! I am hoping that you truly believe the good news of God’s limitless grace for all sinners, whether we’re gruesome or safe according to our misguided cultural taboos.

I am trusting that if you do not have renewed eyes through Christ, you will sometime receive them through His Spirit. I hope that you’re more inclined to receive His gift because you read about Him here, and saw His power in our lives.

When I post photos of myself, I see a woman who edits a lot, wanting to create a blog that is both honest and discerning, fun and thoughtful, but who makes frequent mistakes that require forgiveness and grace. I see someone who must lean heavily on Christ, for she is nothing without Him. I hope you see her, too.

When I post photos of my husband, I see a man who is brave and brilliantly forgiven. I see a man-amongst-men. I see a new creation in Christ. I hope you see him, too.

When I post photos of my children, I see mere babes who have been given mighty faith. I see human-gifts to my husband and me: daughters we may love and train as best as we are able. I see God’s avenue to rend us utterly awestruck by His creative, generous hand. I hope you see them, too.

When I consider you, my readers – the silent and the vocal alike - I see people who have honored me with your presence; your care, support, and feedback. I see my motivation for writing this blog in the first place: to grow and share with you who travel through life so courageously. I hope you see you, too.

Whether I am looking at you, or you are looking at me, may we see each other through God’s gracious, renewing power. May I be the first to confess: it’s not always easy! Especially when we get transparent about our trials and triumphs. (Yikes!) But, I hope that this is the place where we get lots and lots of practice. May we continually say, “I see a regular flawed human with my physical eyes, but I see a forgiven child of God with my spiritual eyes. Behold! All things are new!”

May those of us spending time at 10 Million Miles become quite skilled at granting God’s grace, and seeing each other the way He does.

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” 2 Corinthians 5:16-18