Do You See What I See by Lesha Colglazier

Do you see what I see?

By Lesha Colglazier

 

As many have shared at various times, how thankful they are to be a part of the Southeastern Family. I, too, share their sentiments. As the body of Christ at 6500 Southeastern Avenue, I have witnessed how this body works as each person or limb/organ functions at whatever level for God’s glory. I have experienced many things myself in my time at Southeastern and observed it as my brothers and sisters are acting great as God’s kids! J

Mike Decamp had asked me a long time ago to write something for the blog and I’ve tried to think of things over time, but nothing came – a writer’s block so to speak. But in the last year or so, as I observed, you, my siblings, on any given Sunday morning these thoughts stirred! “Do you see what I see?” The song often sang at the Christmas holiday came to mind “Do You Hear What I Hear?” which caused even more reflection about my family here. The song references seeing, hearing, knowing and listening on that special night that Jesus was born.

 

What I see –

Families by birth origin and by marriage, but greater still, siblings as God’s children!

A visitor invited to sit with someone more than once.

People I’ve known for all my life.

People I’ve been blessed to cross paths with in the last year.

Best girlfriends sitting together with their babies on their lap, while their husbands serve us in worship.

A son or daughter, whose parent had died, comforting and being concerned with their parent that is still here.

Teen friends sitting together—worshipping, some with parents that are here, some whose parents that aren’t, but still choose to be at Southeastern on their own!

Couples married a short time or a long time holding hands!

Mature couples that have years together in marriage and friendship.

A widow or widower sits with a more recently widowed brother or sister.

An elder becoming emotional in sharing thoughts is comforted by one of his spiritual brothers.

A brother or sister singing that in previous years didn’t sing.

One being comforted who has lost a loved one, by spiritual siblings whether they have experienced this type of loss or not.

Dear brothers and sisters, our siblings, that are worshiping post major surgery and/or with health challenges, cancer, etc.

A parent becoming emotional during worship with concern for their ill adult child, and their spouse reaches to hold their hand or touch them.

A father encouraging a young son, as we learn a new song, to sing along, too!

Children not sitting with their parents, but they are sitting with others that have concern for them.

A brother or sister moves to a different seat to support someone struggling emotionally or with their children.

HUGS!

 

What I hear –

Wonderful praises lifted up to our Father.

Prayers offered with thanksgiving and supplication.

A child—saying Amen at the end of a prayer.

A baby—laughing with joy or cries of sadness.

God’s word read and preached.

Plates being passed sharing communion together and sharing our blessings both here and afar.

Lots of chatter during greeting time and post worship time.

The song by Louie Armstrong, “It a Wonderful World” comes to mind too. “Friends shaking hand saying how do you do?” J

 

What I know –

Many prayers are offered in silence, as we worship, that a heart would be touched or a life would grow closer to the Lord.

We all are gifted differently, yet we are all connected.

Many of your stories--and most haven’t had an easy or perfect path, but to see you journey on in faith inspires others.

Psalm 124 – vs. 1 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side” then the following verses list many things that could overtake us. vs. 6 “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.” He’s Got Us!

 

Listen to hearts growing toward God in various seasons of life. As we pray for peace everywhere! To coin Greg York, “What does done right look like?” What do you see when we come together? I challenge you to take a good look around; you might be surprised at what you can really see when you look with your heart at your siblings and those visiting. Jesus came to give us goodness and light!

 

The song “The Greatest Command” says it all. I remember being on a mission team in Guatemala and it was taught to the church there in Spanish with four part harmony, not common in Guatemala, just sing loud! As the local members sang in Spanish and the team from the US sang in English – Love one another!!! It was beautiful and truly what He wants for his children (us). So get to know your family here at Southeastern and look around when we gather and while we worship – I know if you do you too will be overwhelmed by God’s amazing love and grace for each of us He saw fit to create in His image!