Eyes of Grace

Today marks my one year anniversary dating Janell :)

Before we dated we were friends for about a year. Initially we talked about problems we were having in our respective love lives. I was venting my frustration one day about not being able to 'find someone.' I narrowed down my scope of qualifications to three things: I would date someone who 1) was a strong believer and follower of Jesus, 2) pursued me enough to let me know I could pursue her, and 3) looked at me with "eyes of grace." Anything else could be worked out.

Eyes of grace became a catch phrase for us. It meant that we wanted to be looked at by a person the same way that we are looked at by God. I didn't want someone to overlook my wounds, failures, set-backs and weaknesses, or to love me in spite of them. I didn't want to muster manliness, material things or prestige. Rather, I wanted all of me to be loved and seen as an increasingly perfected work of God no matter what I looked like from the outside.

Of course you know I'm going to say that Janell met my criteria. She did. And she does. Every day she chooses to look at me as a man made in the image of God and has nearly made a study of supporting me. I love her for the way she loves me, but I also love her for her. She is the most prayerful, insightful, encouraging and generous person I know. Because she is so self-aware, she is conscious of her own short-comings. I love those too. Our weaknesses leave a void that only grace can fill. I hope Janell can see in my eyes God's grace and love for her.