I was sitting in the snack area of Costco while my son and husband were getting a slice of pizza. We were about to tackle the shopping for the week and it was lunch time. Funny as it may sound, the pizza bar at Costco is one of my guys’ favorites and ever so affordable. The hor dourves would come later with the samples along each aisle on this busy Friday.

Because I was not interested in the pizza, I sat alone at the table just enjoying the sounds of the bustling store. My imagination is quite vivid so I entertained myself by imagining in living color the diverse choices and people scurrying to get their stash before the weekend activities. Plus, for many it was probably pay day and time to stock up.

As I sat content to wait, I suddenly heard harsh tones and vulgarity. My pleasant imagination of people shopping now turned to wondering if there were fights over the chicken gumbo samples or small bites of cheesecake. The profane words kept coming, and I could not even imagine what would precipitate this response during a shopping spree.

Within a few moments I heard a sweet, soft, familiar voice saying, “Ma’am, she cannot see you. She is blind.”

As quickly as it started, the profanity and anger subsided, as I heard the verbal assailant say timidly, “Oh I am so sorry. I thought your  mom was staring me down.”

I did not know my eyes had never left hers. I was just looking forward and enjoying life.  My young son learned on the job mediation skills, and peaceful results were established. Who was the victim anyway?

I am fully aware that staring is rude. I don’t try to be unkind, but this knack for “eye to eye contact” with someone is often a great tool when I speak. I work hard at seeing. I turn my head and listen where the voices are coming from, and I am usually able to hit someone’s eyes dead on—IF I know they are there. When I speak, I look out at my audiences, as I wait for the moment when I will truly see them eye to eye. Until then, I keep trying, and most are faked out by my being out of sight. Often people will say to me, “You were looking straight at me when you made that statement I needed to hear.” I smile and love my target practices. Bull’s eye!

I may miss you trying to catch my eye, or signal me with your eye, but my eyes are connected to the window of my soul and ever so close to my heart. If I am caught staring at you, it is not with disapproval. I am marveling at your potential and life destiny. It is greater than anything you can see. You may have overlooked it in the busyness of your life. For me personally, staring into the face of Christ is my secret for the daily joy and strength I live in. His eyes are always on me, and I sense His smile.

By the way, don’t be so quick to judge the stares of others. They may have landed on you by accident. They are probably trying to imagine what to do next and what purpose their life holds. You just caught their eye.

So, model for them what it looks like to live life to the max. Smile too. It will totally disarm your foe—no matter their words.

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!