Seeing Jesus 

One Sunday, around 4 years ago, we were having a big community potluck after our morning church service. My 3-year-old daughter Anneka had been milling around with her best buddy Emelia, and had sufficiently talked with, and studied most everyone in the room (and what they were eating!)

At one point she ran up to me with her face completely beaming. I mean just radiant with Excitement! She whispered into my ear: "Mommy....I see Jesus!"

Okay. My heart stopped. "Jesus?" I said
"Yes! It's Jesus! Over dare!" She repeated
"You see Jesus over there?" I asked again
"YES MOMMY...Jesus is over DARE!!" (now she's getting irritated with me)

I was so stunned. Okay. My child is seeing Jesus. And she's completely lit up inside. She's seen something (someone?) that has made her abandon Emelia, and their games, and run to me. She sees Jesus. Right here. Right now.

What do I do? Maybe it's simply someone who looks like Jesus?? Or maybe she's incredibly spiritual, and is actually SEEING Jesus! I've heard of kids seeing angels....and seeing supernatural things. You know...pure eyes and hearts. Eyes that can see truth when we adults are numb to it. Or maybe (now I'm getting excited) she's seen a street person...and saw his kind eyes...and thought "I see Jesus!" Oh me. Now I'm just beside myself with glee.

Only one way to figure this mystery out!

"Show me, Anneka! Show Mommy where you see Jesus!"

She took my hand and began to lead me through the room...passing bearded men ("Is that Him?" I asked) on to the stage area where a young girl was sitting on the step, enjoying a plate of food. Anneka stopped right in front of the girl. I looked behind her. I looked beside her.

"Where, Anneka? Where's Jesus?"
"WITE DARE!!!!"
"I don't see Him, Anneka..." (now I'm feeling panicked! I missed Him!! He's gone! O LORD! COME BACK! COME BACK! *my eyes darting side to side*)

"Mommmmie! RIiiiight HERE!" she said pointing her chubby finger at the gawking girl's styrofoam plate.

Cheesies.

Not Jesus....CHEESIES. No Lord of Life. No King of Kings. No Savior of the World. No Messiah. Just crunchy, cheezie snack twists.

"See Mommy?? ....It's Chesus!" Her face engulfed by a smile

I laughed for about 10 minutes. (after getting her a bowl of Jesus. I mean Cheesies)

Okay. So my child wasn't seeing with prophetic eyes. But you know, I got so excited. What IF your child came up to you and said "I SAW JESUS!". How would we respond? And are we teaching our kids to look for Him? I want this to be a routine occurrence in my life....and specifically in my children's lives!

It gave me new resolve. I need to teach my kids to not only talk to this Friend, but recognise Him as well. To not just have compassion for the poor, but to see Christ. To know when it's Him. To know when He's in the room. Sharing with us, eating with us, laughing with us.

So one day, my prayer is that my daughter will come to me again...and tell me how she saw Jesus that day. And not the Cheese kind.