Perspective

The weather is warming up again, so Brett and I are able to walk outside.  Thank goodness, because the treadmill drives me insane after awhile.  Last Saturday morning we were out walking on some of the back roads around our house.  I looked over and said, "look at that pretty field of purple flowers." Brett's response was, "I think those are weeds."

We walked a little further down the road, and Brett said, "did you see that burrito?"  I was looking all over for a burrito and could not find one anywhere.  I said, "where did you see a burrito?"  He said, "it was smashed in that bag on the road."  I saw what looked like a trash sack.

We had not walked more than a quarter of a mile when Brett said, "look they have their garden spot tilled up already."  Once again I was looking all over for a garden area.  I said, "do you mean that field that is plowed up?"

I just started laughing out loud.  Because in that one mile of our walk, there were three specific examples of how we see things differently.  It is all about our perspective.  A perspective shaped by where we are, where we have been, and where we are going?

It is the same with our individual images of who or what we think God is.  God's image never changes.  He doesn't change.  His character doesn't change. He doesn't change his mind on a whim. But where we are, where we have been, and where we are going in our lives can change our perspective of how we see God.

Brett saw weeds, a burrito, and a garden spot.  I saw flowers, a bag, and a field.  Yet, we were both looking at the same things.  It was our perspective that made us see things different.  God is always the same, it is our view of Him that makes us see him different.

We need to make sure we are reading our Bible so that our perspective of God matches up with His true image.

Isaiah 55:8  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."

Terrible Two Tantrums

The sweet little girl in this picture is my great-niece Harper Grace. Is she not the cutest?  They live in Oklahoma, so we don't get to see them very often.  But, I am pretty sure her Mom must have pinched her to get this picture because every time I saw her, she has been all smiles and giggles.

The more I look at this picture it just makes me laugh. This picture has a ton of blog ideas that I could write about.  Starting with the dog at the back door that doesn't seem phased at all by the outburst.
Or I could write about the spotlessly clean kitchen of a Mom of two toddlers.  But let's face it the story in this picture is the look on this little girls face.

As I look at Harper's face in this picture, I wonder if this is what I look like to God sometimes.  She is obviously upset.  The fact that her Momma took the time to take a picture tells me she isn't hurt, she is just mad.  Based on her age I assume that she is mad because she didn't get her way about something.

I have a feeling sometimes when I don't get my way I look like this to God.  I may pout, stomp my feet, hold my breath, and cry real tears.  When the yes I am waiting on turns out to be a no.  When my house doesn't sell.  When I don't get the job, I applied for.   When what I had planned turns out not to be God's plan. When I thought I was moving to Hawaii and that falls through. When I don't get my way how do I react?

For Harper Grace, this little tantrum is expected because she is almost two.  And this picture her Mom had the foresight to take will be cute to show everyone someday when she turns 18 or 21. But if she is still throwing tantrums like that at 18 or 21 that really isn't so cute.

It is the same for me.  The more mature I become in my faith, those tantrums are no longer cute.  As my faith grows, I should be able to control my emotions. When things don't go the way I had planned, I should trust that God has a better plan.  When I can not see the end or the outcome, God's past faithfulness should carry me through the blind spots.

I checked with Harpers Momma, she said she thought Harper was crying because she made her stop climbing into a chair.  Why did her Momma stop her?  Because she's super mean, right?  No, because she has a great Mom who didn't want her to fall and get hurt.  Is is possible God doesn't always give me my way because he is protecting me?  We have a good, good Father who loves and protects us.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  — Matthew 7:9-11     

Praying for your Husband

Have you ever had those times in your marriage when your husband just drives you crazy?  You know, those little quirks that you loved about him when you were dating, but now they are like finger nails on a chalkboard, or teeth scraping a fork?  REALLY? I find it hard to believe that I might be the only one.

Or maybe you are in one of those ruts in your marriage where you are in the compare trap?  My husband doesn't send me flowers like Lisa's husband, or mine doesn't open doors for me like Sally's husband does.  You begin to only see the things he doesn't do instead of the things he does.

I will be honest, I have been in both of these places at one time or another in my marriage and maybe not too long ago.  It's in these spots that I might begin to pray "God please change this in Brett, please make him more like Bob, please make him stop doing that one thing that drives my Mom crazy.  God please change him."   That is a dangerous and slick slope to be on.

I have the secret for you.  I read it years ago; tried it and it really works.  When I am in those places, I have learned, instead of praying "God please change Brett."   I have learned to pray, "God, let me see Brett through Your eyes."

Do you know what happens when I do?  Brett doesn't change, but my attitude toward Brett does. Those little quirks that are getting on my nerves begin to fade away.  Instead of noticing the things he doesn't do.  I begin to notice the things he does.  Like picking up a McDonalds tea for me on Sunday mornings, or unloading the dishwasher every single morning.  Helping with the laundry, running the sweeper, making me laugh. Things like asking for my opinion and not just forging ahead, or overlooking when I am tired and grumpy.

I also begin to see his strengths.  Those qualities that God has formed in him.  Those things I love about him.  I see his integrity.  I see how he takes time for people.  I see his servant's heart.  Those things that are important to God also become important to me.

So the next time your husband is driving you crazy, or you catch yourself starting to compare, STOP, pray, and ask God to let you see your husband through His eyes.  Your husband won't change but your attitude will.

I have to believe that a praying wife is a thing of beauty to her husband.

1 Peter 3:3 "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so  precious to God.  This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.  They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands."