My friend Paddy likes to watch birds through binoculars. She gave my toddler grandson, Winston, a kids’ version of these “I spy” adventure field glasses. He uses them to imitate his dad, binoculars in hand, watching boats go by on the inlet where they live by the ocean. The little guy has a hard time figuring out which end to look through, but that does not prevent him from delighting in the activity of ‘watching’. We learn at a young age to observe our world. 

God observes us. He carefully watches over all we do.  Sometimes I imagine the Holy One above us, binoculars in hand. Why would he need something to magnify what he can already see? He doesn’t, of course,  but the vision of God and my grandson looking over the waters together makes me smile. 

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. -Ps 33:13,14 

Binoculars can magnify distant objects, but they reveal only what is visible from the outside. Winston’s dad observes yachts, Paddy studies local birds, and Winston views whatever objects come into focus, large or small, depending on which end he looks through. 

God needs no magnification.

He sees beyond appearances and distance. The one who formed our hearts knows them. Who in your life needs to be reminded that they are seen by God? 

Grab your binoculars and look upward as a reminder that He watches over everything. Paddy would approve. Winston too. 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, Thank you, God for being a God who sees me. You search me, Lord,

    and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;

    You perceive my thoughts…You discern my going out and my lying down;

    You are familiar with all my ways…lead me in the way everlasting. Amen

-adapted from Psalm 139