Changing Perspectives

Easter was just a couple of days ago. The day we celebrate Our Risen Lord was a beautiful day here on our neck of the woods. We had the pleasure of hosting our family for a great dinner and some fun time. 

Besides a day to enjoy our family, Easter was also a day to realize the blessings in our lives. It was a day to consider or reconsider, rather, the way I go about my days. It was a day to realize that I usually worry too much about what I lack and forget to be thankful for what I do have. I caught myself complaining in my mind about all the stuff I needed to do, and the things I needed to get, and the work I needed to finish, rather than sitting back and appreciating all that I had done already.

I went through my long “to do” list and my eyes immediately went to the items not crossed out. Right away I became anxious and worried. After a few seconds, however, my eyes drifted to the things that I had checked off the list already and as I pulled away, I saw, very clearly that there were definitively more things that I had accomplished than those still to do…

Then, at that moment, I got it…that is how I live my life. I live my life constantly worrying about the negative. I worry about what I have not finished, and forget what I have completed. I worry about what I don’t have and ignore what I do have. I worry about the “what ifs,” and take for granted my reality. I worry about the problems and pay no attention to the blessings.

I don’t want to live like that anymore. I am tired of worrying. I really am. 

I don’t want the peace that a completed “to do” list will bring. I don’t want the peace that a test result may offer. I don’t want the peace that material things may provide. They are all temporary fixes. I want a peace that lasts.

I want the peace that transcends all understanding. I want peace like a river. I want the permanent peace that only His presence can afford. 

How do I get that? Trust and surrender are key but also a change of perspective is needed. I need to change my perspective from a negative-oriented vision, to a focus on the blessings. I want to have the love and discipline to thank Him for what He has given me, and trust Him for what I lack. I want to make sure I appreciate all that He has done for me, and surrender the rest. I want to let Him be God and in the meantime, just be still.

At the end of the day, after the family was gone and it was just us home, my older son, Grant asked us when we could have the family over again for another holiday. We said, as soon as possible!

It was truly a wonderful day, and I want to make sure I thank the Lord for it, a true reminder of His infinite love for us, back then as He hung on the cross, as well as today, as He hangs out in His throne.

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5