Perspective…

There are many quotes that have become cliches about point of view, walking in someone else’s shoes or the bird’s eye view. How difficult it is to see that the grass is not really more green on the other side of the fence, as you stand on rock-covered weeds.

Our son and daughter-in-law are choosing a house for us to move into in Champaign. They are trying to ‘walk in our shoes’ and determine what we would like and where we would fit. Meanwhile we are determining all those odds and ends of moving more than 500 miles away from our new home that must be done.

Last night I found a Moving Checklist. Ah-ha, just follow the list and I should be fine. Then the count down will begin. I checked the calendar and saw the ‘8 weeks before move‘ had passed…not too bad, only one applied and I completed that.

‘7 Weeks Before Moving’ is partially done. I see that I don’t have children to move, too…so it won’t be too bad. Some of the items on the checklist are a mystery to me…but I am sure if I ask someone I will be enlightened. This is our 13^th move during our 60 years of marriage – both long distances and short distances. It should be easy, but we are out of practice.

Life is a series of moves and changes – each with their unique challenges. But in America those challenges are not as difficult to survive as in other cultures and countries or times. There are moments of incredulous thanksgiving and praise between the questions that come with being in a new place with new people.

While reading from Isaiah 40, I was caught by these words…Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. I read to the end of the chapter and found comfort knowing God cares about each of us. As my daughter wrote in http://nourishyourheart.com/, My dreams were filled with trying to fulfill my family’s needs. And they ended with my daughter making breakfast this morning. As I gradually woke and felt my dreams slipping away, I heard – “I have loved you with an everlasting love”. (Jeremiah 31:3) God’s love is not off and on, but constant.

Returning to Isaiah 40:22 – 31 – God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, Then he blows on them and they wither.The wind carries them off like chaff.

To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

As I read these words, I praised God for His Goodness. In the midst of my scurry and worry, I realized that God has not lost a star and He won’t lose me. No matter how insignificant my life seems to me, I will trust in the LORD and find new strength…and soar high on wings like eagles. I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not faint. It is all about ‘perspective’.

This is the secret that gave Dad and Mom strength – they trusted in God. When food was scarce, when the work was long, when the tornado hit the house, when my brothers were serving their country in far countries, when Dad had his heart attack, when Mom moved here after 48 years in one house and one life, when they spent Christmas without their children…they trusted God. The perspective is that praising God and knowing that this world is in His Hands is ‘strength-thinking. Examples are all around us of those who trust The Lord.

I remember a sweet lady in our Bible Study telling us about her praise one day….she sat on her porch early one spring morning, sipping hot coffee and smelling fragrant honeysuckle blossoms. Thanks, Phyllis, for sharing your ‘perspective’ and inspiring this poem.

It’s a Honeysuckle Day When….

...The sun shines and breezes rise 

...The clouds play peek-a-boo in the skies

 ...I give God all the praise ...For each gift in all my days.  

It's a Honeysuckle Day when... 

...My family is all around ...And God's joy abounds. 

...I sit as quiet as can be ...And all His glory I see.  

It's a Honeysuckle Day when... 

...I pray to my Father above ...So thankful for His sacrificial love.

 ...I know without a doubt ...What life is all about.  

It's living for Jesus Serving Him, with Him I stay 

Though darkness clouds my way, I give praise for my Honeysuckle Days. 

Emily Combs, May 2012