“It isn’t polite to stare.”

My mom would say that to me when I was a child and found something interesting. Okay, not something, but rather someone. I must have seen many interesting people (interesting to me) as I remember hearing this phrase often.

Recently this phrase came to mind as I was checking out at my neighborhood CVS. Yes, the CVS that was just remodeled and is about 10 yards from the front door of our apartment building. Downtown living is pretty cool!

Anyway – back to my story.

I am waiting in line to check out and find myself staring at one of the cashiers.

don’t stare

He is bald and has tattoos all over his head. All. Over.

don’t stare

He also has gauges in his earlobes

don’t stare

It looks like one tattoo right in the center of his forehead is a cross with a word written above it.

don’t stare

But I think it says “truth”

don’t stare

I end up being helped by the other cashier and don’t get a good look at what the word says.

But, man, I wanted to.

As I left the store I began to think about the art that this one person had on his head.

Isn’t art to be admired?

Isn’t art to be appreciated?

Isn’t art to be acknowledged?

Surely, in this case, staring would not have been rude.

Surely, if this guy has thought through the tapestry inked over his head, he would be happy to share the meanings and stories behind it.

Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to ask him. If I do, I will let you know.

This incident made me think about that lesson my mom wanted to teach me – about staring being rude. I don’t think that is always the case. Often times, staring occurs when we are appreciating  the beauty

Of a person

Of an outfit

Of architecture

Of art

Beauty seems to demand staring. Or maybe the thesaurus can give us less offensive words than “stare.”

focus

gaze

As I was pondering this, I thought of Jesus.

He is beautiful

He is awesome

He is worthy

to be admired

to be appreciated

to be acknowledged

His character demands

my stare

my focus

my gaze

Oh, how I need to be reminded of this.

What a beautiful gift He is.

Today, I am thanking God for the beautiful gift of my Savior, Jesus. I am thanking Him for reminding me of this truth. And, I am asking Him to help me find joy in fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)