And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury: and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins which amount to less than one cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on”. Mark 12:41-44.

It is amazing how people can see the same thing or event differently, is it not? The brief story above is a prime example of Jesus’ ability to see things differently from the rest of the world. There is no doubt that people who may have been watching the same contributors as Jesus was, would have seen the widow’s offering and thought…why bother put in so little? But Jesus saw a devoted woman. Devoted to her love for God, and the temple that helped to spread that love.

I have an uncle who is an incredible artist. He and I see things differently. When I see a person, I see the whole picture…he sees the details. The way the nose is shaped, the way the eyes look in connection with the cheek bones, the shadow that their hair makes on their forehead, the way the light passing through the upper part of the ear changes the color of the skin.

I have a friend that sits next to me in the choir at church. He is an accomplished, well trained musician. When we sing I hear the unified voices of the choir…he hears that one of the sopranos was slightly off key. During warm ups, our director likes to challenge the high end of our voices, not only does he never miss the note, but he can tell you what the note is. My friend and I hear things differently.

I have finally found an in person outlet for my ministry, or perhaps it found me. Every week I visit the dementia unit at a local nursing home. The residents all suffer from some form of dementia, most commonly memory impairments. When I was first approached and asked to lead regular devotional services, the activities director for the home told me she had been having a hard time finding some one to come and visit, and share the Gospel with these residents. Many people feared that they would be violent, or simply unable to focus on the sermon…so what was the point? I saw a chance to bring the word of God to people who needed it most.

I have found during my time there that I am able to spend an hour or more with these lovely folks, just singing and reading a verse or two, perhaps giving a small lesson to go along with it. The amazing thing is the Good Word holds their attention, each week I hear a new voice pipe in during Amazing Grace, and everyone says the Lord’s prayer in unison. What others saw as a difficult portion of the population, I have found to be absolute God loving men and women…I see them differently.

Every day we have literally countless images put before us…people, things, events, stereotypes, faiths, emotions, and on and on. Some of what we see or experience is down and out right against all that we hold dear and true, and can bring out our anger, or our hatred. Perhaps if we could take just a little while to see what we’re looking at…in a little more detail, some of those negative feelings we struggle with would not be around. Perhaps that “jerk” at work is really just God’s way of helping you to become a more patient person. Perhaps that “bum” on the street is God’s way of helping you be more loving. Perhaps that widow, really is giving the most.

We should pray that when our time comes to meet our Lord, we do not hear, “How is it that you have eyes, but still do not see?”

God bless.

Thank you William for another lovely post! And I agree. Most people who know me know that I am all about perspective and that is what I read in your post....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

Dear William,


Excellent post dear brother!
I believe the same as you. Getting to know that which we are afraid of does indeed tend to make the world a less scary place. What we once thought of as truth, changes with our knowledge, and an actual (not perceived) truth takes the place of the old.
As I’m sure you know by now, I work as an addictions counselor for a homeless intox shelter. I work with people most others go out of their way to avoid. So much so, it is not uncommon to hear the winter tragedy stories our clients are all too willing to share. Amputees who loose more appendages because they were not helped through the snow to reach the shelter and as a result suffered multiple exposed areas of frostbite. Or others who were stepped over in alleys and street corners for days dead, because it was assumed they were too drunk to make it to our shelter, and no one wanted to get close enough to find out what was wrong. Our H.I.V clients who all but crumble when you offer a hug to them, simply because they are no longer used to the physical contact. We have clients who truly believe they deserve to be in pain, who truly believe it is normal to be attacked, to be mocked, to be beaten. They are thankful for a simple crummy sandwich because they believed it is more than they deserve, and when we run out, as often as we do, the ones who receive share theirs with the ones who didn’t receive. They share everything, clothing, blankets, food, tents, time, love, and none of them keeps tabs of who owes what. They protect and look out for one another on the streets, and in fact are one gigantic family. And these are the people we should avoid?
It is asked, “How is it you have eyes, but still you do not see”?
The answer is simple; it is a choice.
Wonderful post William, and a great reminder of positive change that is within our power to manifest.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

thank you both for your kind words, you have been a couple of the few who have supported my ministry since the begining, and I am blessed to know you.

Much Love,
William