Seeing with God’s Eyes

Betsy Fulmer

As adoptive parents, we were sure that our daughter would be a blue ribbon winner--perfect in every way. Little did we know when we adopted Eden as an infant that God was giving us a special gift. It took us quite a bit of time to overcome our disappointment and frustration and finally to see the joy of the gift.

Eden reminds us to “see with God’s eyes.” When she enters a room, she connects with people and makes each moment a bright spot in everyone’s day. It started early and continues. As a youngster about age three or four, we took Eden along with us to donate extra jackets and blankets to a temporary homeless shelter. Donations were accepted at one end of a large warehouse. Our daughter escaped from us and ran to where men were resting on blankets on the warehouse floor. She went from person to person and hugged and kissed each one. We watched from a distance and then others gathered to watch her. We could only see the dirt, the grime, the unshaven faces and the stench. She saw with God’s eyes. She saw people in need of love. The coordinator for the homeless program said Eden’s hugs were warmer than all the blankets that had been donated.

Eden loves to collect tourist brochures from pamphlet racks. The rule is that she may take only one from the rack. Her grandmother had taken Eden and another teenager to Disney. Throughout the day Eden had accumulated a fist full of brochures. The other teen asked why she had so many. Eden replied that they were for her friends. The girl tried to put her down saying, “Well, how many friends do you have?” Her implication was how can a mentally challenged youngster possibly have any friends. Eden stopped and thought. She didn’t perceive the putdown and answered, “More than I can count.” Because Eden sees goodness, she has more friends than anyone can count.

Although Eden has had numerous orthopedic surgeries, a cornea transplant for keratoconus, and the mental impairment of Fragile X Syndrome, Eden sees life with God’s eyes. She doesn’t question her afflictions; she sees God's blessings in her life.