I Samuel 16:7 –

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things men look at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

No seat on the bus.  That’s what, Emily, the new girl riding our school bus encountered everyday that school year, until things changed.

Kids in junior high, at times, can be so harsh and cruel.  Emily, didn’t look like the rest of the kids.  They would deliberately shun her, criticize her and not let her sit with them.  She was labeled an Albino – white hair, white skin and pink eyes. However, I was glad to let her sit next to me.  Through the year we became friends.  While others would not take the time to get to know her she became a special friend to me.

Near the end of the school year she mentioned she was going to participate in the school talent show.  She would be playing the guitar and singing.  In my heart I admired her, yet nervously hoped she would do well.

When the day finally arrived, the other kids performed and did well.  Emily was the last performer.  I waited with anticipation at the edge of my seat.  I, along with the rest of the audience was taken back and humbled with the sound of the guitar and the beautiful voice and song that came from her heart.  It was no surprise she won 1st place!

It was a good lesson, at an early age, how man sees the outward appearance, but God sees the heart and blesses.

Lord, if we have been transformed and know you intimately, help us to be obedient to your word.  Open the eyes of our hearts to see and look beyond the outward appearance and beyond our differences to see a heart that may be hurting and in need of your love.