eyes reprised

{via pinterest}

my obsession with eyes is no secret.

there's something so drawing // stirring // hypnotic about these orbs that peer from beneath curling lashes. there are stories there, just waiting to be read like books with unfurled pages.

eyes are the windows to the soul, the candles of the body. these are His words, though i wish they were mine, too.

but then i started gazing at the closed books, marveling at the covers.

don't judge a book by its cover

but then again, do. 

because the covers tell a lot, even if you aren't supposed to see. 

closed eyes are the covers of the books still shut. someone has to open them. there has to be an invitation.

read me. 

study me. 

just hear me. 

there's more to seeing than open eyes and mutual glances. 

you know that, right? 

those open eyes are even stares, level gazes begging and pleading for you to understand this language, to be a translator to their hidden stories and whispered memories. 

but the closed eyes, the downcast gazes to the dirt and grime of the path...do you realize we ignore them, shuffling past because we don't want to intrude, to infiltrate their silence. 

they must like it there. 

but these, oh, these are the least of these. these are the ones to whom He turned and whispered

neither then do I condemn you.

so there's more to read than just the pages. 

there are paintings atop these closed lids. the lashes are their bolted gates. and my soul craves to reach out to the downtrodden.

because He spoke those words to me, the weary one.

come unto Me

heavy-laden child

and I will give you rest. 

Simply TOMs

The time has come.

I have a blog that is read by my family, friends, and various other people in the world out there...the least I can do is give back a little.

Those of you that know me are aware that I have a heart for missions and reaching out to those people in other countries that have little or nothing of their own.

I also love supporting and promoting organizations that use simple, ordinary things to make an incredible difference in the world.

Enter stage left: TOMs Shoes .

Their movement concept is simple: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.

All you have to do to touch someone's life is to buy a pair of these amazing, adorable, comfortable shoes.

A pair for a pair.

This is such an incredible concept to me. Everyone buys shoes. It's almost second nature to us, particularly to us girls, who find shoe shopping to be almost as entertaining as a good book.

Shoes are simple. They're there. We slip them on our feet every morning and rush out the door; half the time, it hardly crosses our minds.

So take a minute.

Check out their website: www.toms.com.

Learn about what they do.

Maybe you can even participate in "One Day Without Shoes" -- 4-8-11.

Make a difference. Wear TOMs.

"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." ~Matthew 10:42