Windows and Grids

When you have to replace your windows you are forced to learn a lot about them.

By the time it was said and done, I had sat down with 8 sales reps, living through presentation after presentation. I learned about double pane, triple glass, argon and krypton gas, seals, grooves, frames, wraps, safety locks, tilt in sashes and a load more. When it came time to place the order, the wife and I had one final decision to make.

What 'grid' pattern did we want? 'Grids' are the annoying window trim that accents the beauty and the style of your window. To me...they are dust magnets that cannot be cleaned apart from exposing some serious personality flaws! Ever tried to clean those things? Nearly impossible. Grids are now built into the window so that you don't have to clean them. You just have to enjoy them! You can choose traditional grids, prarie style, or even go 'grid-less'. One Saturday morning, my lady and I went for a drive and saw more houses with grids than Santa has elves. We looked. We studied. We imagined. What grid style would we enjoy the most? A consuming subject that we bantered around for that day and the next few days!

We chose the prarie style grids for the north side of our home. The grid pattern runs on the outer edge of the window. Once they were installed, we could not help but to stare through windows and marvel. Where grids had once been was now unmarred glass. We could see our trees without any sight barriers...and the leaves turning color were quite stunning! Nothing hindered our looking across the street, down the drive and across the neighborhood. The grids were gone and we could see!

"One thing I do know. I was once blind but now I see!" John 9:25

A blind man, conditioned in darkness since birth, had not seen and could not see and in all likelihood, would not see. Physically, his condition was beyond pitiful. Being led by the hand each day to a place where the slightest chance of hope might occur, he had become accustomed to disappointment. He would never enjoy all five senses...until Jesus opened his eyes, gave him sight and opened his soul as well. This man is at the heart of one of the most stirring narratives in the whole of Scripture. He illustrates the condition of all of us apart from the redemptive touch of God.

"He is a light of revelation for the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:32

"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:4

Only God can remove the spiritual blinders to give us clear vision of Himself and ourselves. No one wants to stumble around in this life, and yet many settle for just that. Directionless, you move without intention or aim, hoping to 'see it' one day through an experience, an encounter, a job, a love, a family, a cudesac, a religion, yoga, tennis lessons, Jenny Craig or the finest imported wine. You look for meaning, purpose, having 'eternity set in your heart, foolishly bumping into others joined together on the bridge to nowhere, (well somewhere actually...where there is a darkness that will never be remedied). And then, God steps in, touches you deeply...and you can 'see'. Really 'see'.

"Lord, I believe." John 9:38

That very verse goes on to say that this formally blind man 'worshipped Him'. In other words, the 'grids' were gone! He could see His Redeemer clearly without any sight barriers whatsoever. Everything came into sharp focus and he would never have to stumble again because of the oppressing darkness of blindness.

Not only can we see out of windows better now that the grids are gone...others may be able to see into our house a lot better too! Wonder what God sees when He looks in from where I am looking out of?