Immediately, something like scales fell from

Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.

Acts 9:18

Saul was a committed and zealous Jewish Pharisee intent on persecuting the church until he had an encounter with Jesus. He was blinded in the process. He remained blind until God’s plan unfolded.

Saul was on his way to Damascus with letters from the high priest so that if he found anyone belonging to the Way (believers), he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus, he had an encounter with Jesus. A bright light from heaven flashed all around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus” Jesus gave him instructions to go into the city, but when he opened his eyes, he couldn’t see. The men who were with him led him into the city. Meanwhile, Jesus also came to a man named Ananias in a vison and told him where to go to find Saul, and to lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. Ananias was a bit afraid because he had heard of Saul, but Jesus reassured him that Saul was being used for God’s purposes and that it was okay. When Annaias placed his hands on Saul, the “scales” fell off his eyes and he could see again.

Our prodigals have been blinded not by an encounter with Jesus, but by the god of this world. They have something like scales on their eyes that keep them from seeing the truth.

This was an unusual way to get someone’s attention. Our God is creative and works in mysterious ways to accomplish what He wants accomplished. What will it take for Jesus to get the attention of our child; our grandchild? He has a unique plan and we must trust Him. We may not know what that plan is, but we do know that God is using us to bring it about.

This Thanksgiving let us be thankful for the plan He has. Let us be thankful for the many blessings we have in our life. We may have something like scales on our eyes keeping us from seeing God’s perspective. Praising Him will open our eyes. We will begin to see all the little treasures He gives us on a daily basis. We will learn to keep our eyes on Him and thank Him regardless of whether He is doing what we want in the moment or not. We will trust Him.

God, remove any “scales” from our eyes that keep us from seeing Your glorious riches in Christ and remove the scales from the eyes of Justin, Ross, Jake, Phil, Angela, Paul, Elizabeth, Josh, Justin, Daniel, Ranae, Andre, Hayley, Joseph, Nathan, Rick, Cindy, Jen, Adrianna, Jake, Molly, Paula, Casey, Brett, Sarah, Dana, Mitch, Mark, Zach, Cathy, Cary, Joshua, Jared, Eric, Aaron, Marissa, Justin, Chelsea, Evan, Jessica, And Griffin. Open their eyes to see Your beauty and that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Just like You had a unique plan to open Saul’s eyes, we know You have a unique plan for each of Your King’s kids. Let us hold fast to You as we wait for You to unfold the plan You have for our children. Let us remain faithful to pray and thankful for the blessings in our lives. May our thankful hearts enable us to see more and more of Your glorious riches which in turn will cause us to be even more thankful. Instead of trying to control everything around us, let us keep our eyes on You, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2).