Matter of Perspective

I live in  Minnesota, where it is really cold. Today I was running errands and found myself at Target, or like many say "my happy place". I parked quickly, and since I wore my thinner winter coat, I jogged inside. (side note: if you want to see me jog just follow me on a cold day getting out of my warm car, you may have a hard time keeping up with me).

I spent some time leisurely shopping, even taking the time to look at kitchen towels...who ever has time to stop and look at kitchen towels. I checked out and went out to brave the cold (about 5 degrees F) I had too much stuff to leave the cart inside and got frustrated with the lack of cart wrangling areas. I had to walk 7-10 car lengths in the cold to return my cart...GRRR! Just then a funny thought hit me...the other day I was upset at all the silly cart wrangling areas taking up all the good parking spots.

It is all about perspective! When snow falls in MN, there are 2 types of people...those who are excited about the snow and those who are wanting to move to get away from the snow. So often in life we lose our perspective, we forget to see how life looks for others, and jump to frustration when things don't line up just right. I am guilty of all three.

I starting thinking about this idea of perspective in the Bible. It is hard to put yourself in the stories when you know the ending. Stop complaining Israelites, God is providing manna. Why is it such a big deal to be thrown in a furnace..God will rescue them. Sadness over Jesus' death does not even make sense to us since we know the ending. How often so we dwell in the moment of pain and forget to learn the lesson or rejoice in the provision provided.

I know wisdom is finding God's perspective or plan, yet most days I have a hard time taking the time to stop and find it. I think I need to slow down, look around and find the path God has for me today....even if it is a couple car lengths of uncomfortable.

Book Title for Your Life

We all have goals in life, the new year always brings out the big goals in people's lives. My husband starts his goals in November for the next year. He is always improving and pushing to be better. So the other day when he asked me if you were to write a book about your life what would be titled, I was not shocked (this is a normal line of discussion in our home). I answered with out a pause -"Finding Joy in the Valleys of Life". I was not being profound or prideful just speaking from where I am in life.

"Finding Joy in the Valleys of Life" has stuck with me for the last few weeks, I was surprised by my knee jerk response and the boldness of my answer. I am not by nature a half glass full person, I struggle with my emotions controlling my every moment. A few years ago I through a rough patch, it was not that life was harder than before or since, I just looked at everything through a negative lens. I found the bad side of every part of my life. In part, I was throwing a huge pity party, not the whole truth, but an accurate word play for the situation.

I was most hard on myself, on my husband, and on God. I blamed all of my woes on one or all of these 3. I could not see the support of my husband at every turn, all I saw was the pain. I focused on the loss of another baby and my beloved dog. I saw no reason to continue to have hope, belief, or joy.  After a year of living in the valley, not willing to turn on a flashlight.

In the misted of this time, one morning my husband came into the room and said this is my song for you Tunnel by Third Day, it was beginning of a break through. We later went to a conference that my husband was speaking at, I did not want to go, in fact I cried most of the plane ride with worst case scenarios running through my mind. I had definitely lost my faith, joy and hope.

I was there to support my husband, but God had a different plan. No the heaven did not open up with singing angels, no voice of God, or divine moment I can point to. I just remember riding back after the conference to the airport with hope in my heart for the first time in over a year.

I have since found not much can take away my hope, joy or faith. It has grown stronger everyday and life has actually gotten hard. I found my focus was off. I now focus on the simple things in my life and find too many things to be grateful for everyday. The joy that comes in the morning after a night of tears.

I am not perfect in any way, yet I have made a choice to choose joy in my everyday life. It is a choice, I could focus on the bad health report, or I believe God has a plan and find a way to make my new life better. Focusing on the positive in the midst of the valley is not easy, I think it about being honest, not about not mourning the things that need to be mourned, but looking up for the light at the end of tunnel and continuing to step forward.

My question to you is what is your focus on in your valley? Please know there is always hope! God, family and a new lens can change your journey through the valley.

 Is it time to redefine your life and find a new title to your life story!

photo from our 20 yr anniversary trip to Pompeii