As I sat overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful early January morning, I asked myself that very question. I watched the waves and began to ponder life, leadership, and family. What follows are questions I jotted down that morning:
What do you see? Do you see the blue water, or do you see the vast mountains on the horizon beyond the water? Both are beautiful, but the latter is only noticeable when you are focused and present.
Are you focused and present? Not just in this moment, but at the dinner table after a grueling Monday?
Do you see the grumpy person in front of you at the grocery checkout line, or do you see someone who just needs some encouragement and affirmation?
Do you see only the limitations of those around you at work, or do you see their potential?
Do you only see their few mistakes, or do you their vast goodness?
Do you see another day filled with meetings and tasks, or do you see another day filled with opportunities to do things with and through other people?
Do you see your own past? All your failures, limitations, and most embarrassing moments. Or do you see lessons, possibilities, and future moments of redemption?
Do you see Jesus or at least the goodness of people who are passionately following Him? Or do you just see all the things that annoy you about Christians, the church, and religion in general?
(This last one might be more for me, but let it guide your deepest human relationships as well).
And finally, do you see your wife and all the sacrifices she is making to homeschool your kids? Do you let her know how much you appreciate and love her?
And now I’m off to remind Sarah how much I appreciate and love her because I DO see it!
In the meantime, I challenge you to ask yourself what you see — and learn from the answers.