my father taught me to look people in the eye when i talk to them. it’s a lesson i’ve appreciated throughout most of my adult life.

they say the eyes are the window to the soul, but i almost consider them a conduit to heaven. to a place and time where we connect with people beyond the confines of the physical. where we–hopefully–have the courage and generosity to see beyond the trappings of physical appearances and discover truth and light. where we can see and love people as they truly are.

i ponder the perplexities of perspective. i know what i see looking out through my own eyes but consider how much i don’t know about how what i see reflected back at me.

i know how it stings when someone doesn’t see or know you as you really are. and how there really is nothing to be done about that except to be true to yourself.

i also know how completely comfortable and safe it feels to be in the presence of people who see you eye to eye and who love and accept you just the way you are.

tonight i thought about the sweet volunteers serving in the temple. strangers, yes. i do not know their respective stories–about their families, their homes, their lives. but as our eyes meet, i know this: these women love the Lord and have dedicated a part of their lives to serve in his house. i recognize the goodness in that act alone and i appreciate their service and their kindness as they–who have given so much more than i–sincerely thank me for being there.

tonight at the temple i felt like my offering–a little of my time, which given, reflects what is in my heart–was accepted.

tonight i read nie’s post and i realized she expressed, so much better than i, what is in my heart. how i am beginning to feel about the love of God for me. how i recognize and appreciate the way God finds simple moments to call us by name and remind us that

he sees us.

he knows our hearts.

he loves and accepts us just the way we are.