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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
You were given a Purple Heart. It's in the shoebox along with all the rest of the medals and ribbons.
You were given a snappy little plastic thing you hang on your rear-view mirror that matches your car tag.
You bristle when someone offers to help you through a doorway or into a seat or in the grocery store. You bristle at their offers because they see you as "disabled."
That's a label. Like red-head or preacher or homeless or star. People tend to treat you a certain way when all they see is your label.
But God sees beyond the physical attributes. God sees your heart. He knows if your heart is healthy or dark. That's what's important.
Not only does He see the heart of you, He will send people into your life who also see beyond the flesh and blood; beyond the labels.
Learn to recognize those people who see beyond your disability.
Become a person who sees beyond others' labels, too.
When the World says, "You're disabled."
God says, "I look at your heart."
Jesus, I look in the mirror and think about how the world sees me. Thank you so much for not having such a limited vision. You see my heart. You hold my soul in your Hands. Help others see me the way You see me. Help me see others the way You see them. Amen.
OATH OF ALLEGIENCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PREAMBLE TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
