Watch Me, Don't Watch Me

My youngest daughter wants me to ride in the boat while she attempts her stunts on the kneeboard. 

"Will you watch me, Mom?"

"Yes!" I say. "I cannot wait to watch you!"

"But don't watch me," she says carefully. "It's too much pressure." She pauses. "But can you watch me? I mean watch me, but don't watch me."

I nod in understanding. 

I will watch her with all my delight, celebration, encouragement, and cherishing. But I will not watch with pressure, criticism, judgment, or anger.

I will watch and not watch her. 

As she giggles and says "watch me but don't watch me," I know that's how God sees us both. All anger and judgment were poured out and absorbed by Christ, so God--who carefully observes, carefully watches--sees us through the lens of cherishing and delighting. 

He watches me, but He doesn't watch me. Children know exactly what this means.