Perspective

Something has been on my mind lately.  Perspective. 

This word is troublesome to me at times.  It can be the center of an argument.  It can be the reason two people cannot see eye to eye.  It can cause frustration and disagreement and hurt.

But lately this word has brought me humility, comfort, and a sense of blessing.

I told you that I broke my toe.  Well, it still hurts, and I am still wearing this boot.  It has slowed me down, kept me from doing fun things with my family, and in general been an annoyance.  But I realize that it could be worse.  I could have had to wear a cast, which would mean I couldn't shower or shave... two of my must-do's for every morning.  I could have had a more serious, permanent injury, or been given a terminal prognosis.  This toe has given me perspective.

Last week I was working on the finances for my business {my least favorite part of small business ownership}, and I was frustrated that no matter how much money comes in... it seems that there is always as much money going out.  I have felt many times over the last few months God's confirmation that this is where He has me, and yet I was frustrated that I seem to spin my wheels in the profitability department.  But then, almost audibly, I heard God tell me, "Emmy... when did you hear me say that this business was for YOUR blessing?"  I was reminded of my employees, who get to come to work when they want, for as long as they want, wearing what they want, and then get to take a paycheck home to their families.  I was reminded of Penelope's amazing Nanny that gets to play with the cutest baby on the planet a few days a week, and then work on her own developing business on her days off.  I was reminded of the many emails I have received from customers that LIVE by their planners.  And most importantly, I was reminded of the opportunity that this business has given me to share God's glory with countless people that would otherwise have never heard my story.  My finances have given me perspective. 

Over the weekend I learned that a couple very close to me is getting divorced.  There is no evidence of any tangible reason for this split other than that they are just two people that don't get along.  My heart is broken. How quickly the devil sneaks in and whispers lies that tear people apart.  I ache for this family and the devastation that is coming.  I am reminded of how important it is to love our children, but keep our spouses as our first priority.  I am reminded that the little things become big things when we aren't intentionally loving.  I am reminded of how blessed I am that after 16 years, I still love my husband as much as the day I fell in love with him.  This news has given me perspective.

Last night I saw a posting on Facebook that led me to this blog.  I read Ashley's story about going in for a D & C, and waking up having had an emergency hysterectomy, and now facing chemotherapy for possibly cancerous cells that are attacking her body.  It was a painful reminder of the day that I went in for a laparoscopy, and woke up having had both of my fallopian tubes removed, which meant that I officially could never again get pregnant naturally.  Her husband's side of the story reminded me of my sweet husband, forced to make a decision on his own that would forever effect me.  I am praying that Ashley's body will be fully healed and that the chemotherapy would wipe out anything that is trying to harm her body.  And I am grateful that a very painful part of my life ultimately resulted in Nathan and me opening the door to adoption, which brought us the greatest treasure of all... our Penelope.  Ashley has give me perspective.  

What all of this is reminding me is that every day we have a choice.  We choose the perspective that we are going to use to evaluate the circumstances in our lives.  We all know a person that chooses to live life from the perspective of a victim.  These people choose only to see the negative results of the circumstances that surround their trials.  These people ask questions like "why me?", "what's next?", and "when will God bless me?"  These people are tough to be around.  They miss out on the flowers that grow after the rainstorms.

I want to be a person that chooses a different perspective.  I want to be a person that says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." {Job1:21}  I want to choose the perspective of finding ways to share God's glory in every season of my life.  That is my perspective today.

What is your perspective?