Let my eyes see Your kingdom shine all around

Let my life be a song, revealing who You are

For You are salt and light 

-Salt and Light lyrics by Lauren Daigle

I sat in my car yesterday afternoon doodling in the fog on the window. I drew the outline of a heart; a symbol both easy to draw and always applicable. I was waiting for Jason to bring his car. It was nearing three o'clock (time to get Rylie, our youngest, from school). He was coming, offering his car. I couldn't see well enough to back up three feet in mine, much less drive to school. 

My car defroster, and the air system for that matter, is out of commission.  I'd tried wiping the driver's side windshield and mirror with a shirt,  but the drastic weather change we suffered yesterday provided a thick layer of blur that kept covering the window as fast as I could wipe it away. 

Moments before Jason pulled into the driveway my finger pressed against the squeaky window, writing out the letters which spelled out "unsung hero". It was a cheesy thing to do. Maybe it's worse that I'm sharing about it. But I was thinking how grateful I was for his willingness to drop what he was doing to come help with the visibility problem I was encountering. I'd be able to jump in his car with seat warmers (I was wet and cold from the downpour) and I'd be able to grab Rylie before she started to worry I'd forgotten all about her. 

  

He made my day a little easier. He has a thousand times. He's my favorite day brightener, but he's not my only one. 

The first ray of sunshine yesterday came because it was garbage day. 

As I made my way down my sidewalk yesterday morning,  I noticed my neighbor and her little boy standing in their driveway waiting for the garbage guys. The truck's mighty arm grabbed hold of their trash bin and dumped the contents into its bottomless well, while the four year old looked on with delight. 

I remember "trash man" being on our son's future occupation short list at one point. I also remember visiting my nephew for a week. His house had a street-facing window that was more captivating than cartoons...on garbage day. And the best part of garbage pick-up yesterday morning? The driver happily honked twice at the neighbor boy in a gesture to say "I see you, seeing me...."

I see you too sanitation men. And I'm thankful for you.

Two blocks away from my house I was thankful for the crossing guard in his bright yellow and orange stripe vest. He was holding off traffic so the little girl who was almost late for school could dart across the street on her bike safely. The guard is there, rain or shine, with a warm smile (unless you're driving too fast or aren't paying attention to his signal to stop). His job is important to him because my kid and the kids that go to Helena Park are important to him.  I remember as I write, how weeks ago, a lady crossing guard was hit by a car, getting a kid out of harm's way. 

I see you crossing guard. 

Then there's my little friend who I pick up to read with every day at school, right before lunch.  I work half-days helping elementary ESL kiddos. This friend cried the first day we met as I picked him up to go read with me. Thankfully every day since then he's been a much more willing partner. In fact, these days he jumps out of his chair and does a sort of a double fist-pump when I walk into his classroom. His little legs move in purposeful strides with his reading book tucked under his arm. He tells me in his thick accent "Let's just read!" It's a daily dose of encouragement  for me. 

Thank you reading buddy. You brighten my day. 

And thank you Chik Fil A.

 I keep waiting for you to mess up; especially yesterday when I pulled up in your drive through lane. There stood one of your employees outside in a ferocious wind waiting for me to make up my mind about what to order. I had to ask him to repeat several of his questions like the one about what kind of sauces I wanted. Your employee was patient even though I deserved a good eye-roll and huffy breath. 

  It's not that I want you to mess up; you're my favorite chicken joint.  On the contrary, I've worried that you WOULD eventually mess up having such a squeaky-clean record as a national franchise who's known for its generosity. Squeaky records are usually short-lived. Your record is still impeccable. 

I see you. 

And I will "eat mor chikin". 

Yesterday afternoon my husband came along on his white horse (old black SUV) and saved me from sticking my head out a rainy window to be able to see to drive. He rescued me from walking to school in my son's ratty hoodie without an umbrella. He provided an umbrella and even drove me to get our older daughter. He was a mighty fine chauffeur. 

I see you over there on the couch, husband, having put in ten hours of work again.  I'm grateful for you. Thank you for the hundreds of little things you do that light up my life; for being someone who doesn't complain and for the six pack of 90 calorie Dr Peppers you brought home for me the other day, not because I needed them but just because. 

Thank you church friends, Laura and Michelle, for designating and organizing our church to be a receiving center for Operation Christmas Child. Thank you church for for providing supplies, and then packing somewhere around 558 boxes for children around the world; that boys and girls might get their first stuffed bear, some pencils and a new pair of socks. But most importantly that they might receive Christ; that their families and friends might learn of saving grace and eternity. 

I saw you 568 boxes with more coming in. 

And I'm praying every single one makes an impact. 

So who are  your unsung heroes? Who are you grateful for in this season known as Thanksgiving? Who has God used to sprinkle glimpses of light into your life today? What have you witnessed today or recently that has added clarity to foggy vision? 

Tell those people you see them. Tell God you see Him too, in storms...and when things aren't clear, like in foggy windows... especially then. 

You see Him in bright faces of people he's placed particularly who carry out purpose seem it simple or grand. 

God's light is broad and bright.

 And then sometimes His illumination comes in flickering fragments in human faces. 

Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. Ephesians 5:14