Fresh Eyes

It was our first time worshipping in this big church. We had never seen anything like it. Her magnificence, displayed in an architectural wonder that spanned several acres and took ones breathe away.

A massive lobby with pictures of angels against cream coloured tall walls greeted us on the inside; chandeliers and mirrors which added to the natural light caused us to blink a few times.

There was a seating area somewhere in the middle, fresh plants, with green leaves adorned the sides of the settees projecting a homely feel. Paintings that take one far far away hang on some walls.

Mesmerised, we manage to find our way into the sanctuary where we were once again spell bound. Something about the equipment and effects reminded us of an entertainment centre.

When the choir sang what happen to be one of our favourite songs a little while later, it was impossible to believe it was not the actual CD that we were listening to, except they sounded even better than the CD!

We explored the grounds some more when the service was over. Impressed, does not do justice to how we felt.

A year later however, we hardly see the plants, we do not notice the cream coloured walls except when they have a yellow plastic sign that read ‘fresh paint’ in front of them.

We have seen it all before and although the building is still as breathtaking as ever, we no longer see it quite like that anymore. Our eyes have grown accustomed to seeing it so we sort of take it for granted.

Then we invited a friend whose marvels took us back to that first day. It made us see the need to look at things with fresh eyes, even our relationships.

So what if your man always gives good presentations, praise the next one as if it’s his first one. What does it matter that your woman always makes great dishes? Compliment her all the same.

Must it take an outsider to draw our attention to the excellence and beauty in one another, the very things that drew us to them in the first place which we now consider ‘normal’?

Take another look, this time with fresh eyes.