Look Them In The Eye

There are so many important things you have to teach your child as they grow.
Teaching them to talk, walk, and feed themselves are necessary in the early years.
Potty training and self-control are challenging since consistency is so important.
Besides the physical skills the child must master, there are social skills as well.

Learning to share, to take turns, to wait and learning not to interrupt are important.
Teaching them how to play well with others yet also enjoy playing alone is key.
They must learn how to teach themselves how to think through things to a solution.
They must learn that they are not the center of the universe.

I saw one mother in action yesterday with her preschool age little girl.
I smiled at them and the little girl smiled back.
She was waiting patiently for a sticker.
Nothing elaborate, just the PAID sticker that goes on larger items.

Her mother knew that she was waiting for the sticker.
The mother talked to the cashier while the little girl waited in anticipation.
Finally, at the end of their transaction, the cashier handed the little girl a sticker.
What do you say? the mother prompted.

Thank you, in a tiny almost inaudible voice.
Without diminishing her attempt, the mother took advantage of a teachable moment.
I am so proud of the way you said thank you to the lady.
When someone gives you something, you must look them in the eye as you thank them.

The little girl looked up at the cashier who was smiling back at the little girl.
You were looking at the floor, but the floor didn’t give you the sticker, the mother said.
The little girl giggled.
The cashier, without missing a beat, gave the little girl another sticker.

Oh my goodness, now you have TWO stickers, the mother said with excitement.
The little girl looked the cashier right in the eye and said, thank you, for all to hear.
Lesson learned.
A real life lesson at a cash register.

Isn’t that the way most of us learn?
We learn by doing; we learn by experience.
We learn best when we are encouraged, when we are not put down.
We learn best when we are gently coached toward the desired result.

Look them in the eye.
How very important.
How very necessary.
You can easily hide your feelings when you do not look directly in the eyes of another.

Sometimes an intent gaze is almost too much to bear.
The feelings are too overwhelming and you have to break the gaze and look away.
The eyes say too much.
The emotions are right there beneath the surface.

Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with Him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know Him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)

Jesus looked Peter in the eye.
The Greek word that is used to describe this type of look is emblepo.
It means to gaze, to look knowingly.
The moment Jesus looked Peter in the eye; Peter realized what he had done.

Peter ran out and wept.
What happened when Jesus looked Peter in the eye?
What did Peter see in Jesus’ eyes at that moment?
What made Peter weep?

We see Jesus all throughout the Gospels.
We know what He said and what He taught.
We see His love and His tender mercy.
We see His forgiveness.

Knowing THAT Jesus, Peter saw compassion in Jesus’ eyes.
Jesus’ compassion was enough to bring Peter to repentance.
God’s kindness leads you toward repentance. (Romans 2:4)
Peter ran out and wept because he was truly sorry.

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter.
We know their conversation with the threefold question, Peter, do you love Me?
Peter did love Jesus, very much.
Peter knew that Jesus loved him.

Peter saw compassion when He looked into Jesus’ eyes.
That same look of compassion is there for you and me as well.
Bring Jesus your sin, your sorrow, and your regret and look into His face.
Jesus’ kindness towards you will lead you to repentance.