Lift Up Your Head

I dance in the kitchen. Hey, if the music lifts my heart or stirs me with a beat, I cannot help BUT dance. And yes, I’ll shimmy a little even in the grocery store if the music is good.

Catching my breath from dancing, I was listening to a song by Big Daddy Weave called, “Redeemed”. The second verse goes like this: All my life I have been called unworthy/Named by the voice of my shame and regret/But when I hear You whisper, “Child, lift up your head”/I remember, “Oh God, you’re not done with me yet.”

Those lines do not begin to do justice to the entire song but they set off a thought. You know, one of the curious moments in between Shattered and Shalom.

“Lift up your head”. What does that mean to you? To me it means,”Look me in the eye. Hear me. See me see you.”

I like to make eye contact with people. I’ve made several acquaintances and new friends by making eye contact and speaking to a stranger. I find it easy–when I’m being mindful to do it.

The song, however, brought back a month-old memory of being seen. A friend got close to me, lifted my chin and said, “Look at me”. I could only do it for a moment before I looked away. My chin was so gently lifted again. “Look at me”. Another moment of eye to eye contact and I looked away again. I felt too vulnerable….exposed. One more time my chin was tenderly lifted. “Susie, look at me. Don’t hide.” I wanted to squirm away but I looked into the eyes of someone that had something important to say. Words that were life giving. Healing. Had I not looked into those eyes, had I not slowed down to listen and hear, I would have missed sincerity. I would have missed the intent behind the speaking of those words and how they felt as they sank into my heart. A heart that while firmly glued together by purple and gold can still be fragile.

Being seen is a powerful thing and eye contact is key.

How often do we look at people but not see them? How often do we half listen? When is the last time you said, “I see you” or “I hear you” and meant it? Said it with eye contact and the meeting of one soul to another, however brief. Whether it’s a stranger in the grocery store, a colleague at work, a neighbor, a friend, or a family member doesn’t matter, make eye contact. You never know what hurting heart your smile could touch or the doors a few friendly words can open. Allow eye contact. When another human genuinely desires to see you and be seen, allow it. A truth you need to hear may be coming or a door to new relationship may be opening. Don’t miss it.

Oh, and the song that started all this? I am redeemed/You set me free/So I’ll shake off these heavy chains/Wipe away every stain/I’m not who I used to be/Because I don’t have to be the old (wo)man inside of me/Cause her day is long dead and gone/Because I’ve got a new name, a new life, I’m not the same/And a HOPE that will carry me home/I am redeemed

Lift up your head. Being seen is a powerful thing and eye contact is key.

1 Comments

Leave a comment

Previous Post