The Corrective Lenses of Perspective

That's what I find myself needing a little more often than I'd like to admit. A prescription for perspective. Try saying that three times fast.

It affects how I view every area of my life. And in the same way that my prescription glasses amazingly clear everything up when I look through them, perspective also quickly brings things into focus.

I remind myself to be thankful for healthy, active children when another mess has been made or they seem to be "bouncing off the walls" with energy. Grumbling about the cost of gas, I remind myself that I do have a vehicle to fill up.

It's a place where chores transform into opportunities. It's the place where have to becomes get to. And that's a place I desire to rest. A mindset I want to constantly possess.

Submitting to my husband transforms from being a burden to joyful obedience to God's word. I can bless the Lord at all times, even when Samuel has broken all the eggs on the kitchen floor for the second time in a week or last year when we watched Richie's dad go through the final phases of terminal cancer.

Some might label it a bit Pollyanna-ish, but I purposefully try to find something good in every situation. Sometimes I'm not successful at finding it immediately...but usually there is some thing. :)

And God desires good things for us. After all, He did send His Son to die for us, so that we would have life and not death. Someone who would allow their child to die for me, cannot have ill wishes for me or have just left me hanging in this world.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

I used to only see verse 28 until one day some years ago, the Lord lovingly decided to show me my need for, shall we say, expanding my peripheral vision. You know, as in , Jo Ann, try looking at more than the one verse that sounds good in a passage to get a real revelation of His word. For the TRUTH in it.

Anyway, in the end, I know that regardless of my ability to "see" the good, my God is using my life's circumstances to conform me into His image. And that is my good...regardless of pain, or sorrow, or frustration.

Lord, help me to remain focused on you and your good for me. That I would keep a "get to" perspective in this world and not get caught up in a "have to" frame of mind. Help me be an example and encouragement to those around me and to teach my children the joy of serving You in daily life and finding You in the seemingly commonplace.