Tag Archives: perspective

Jan24

DAY 24 (2014)

Posted on January 24, 2014 by lsgrlr

God is the DIRECTOR of my path.

I have been having foot spasms since Sunday. I have to admit the constant irritation has left me somewhat irritated. I am crankier than I normally am. Why? The constant spasm has been gnawing at my personality. I also wear my emotions on my face, so people are constantly asking me “What’s wrong?” Which oddly makes me, well, crankier (it’s a horrible cycle). I promise this is not a mere rant, about why I need to be cast as “Grumpy” in Snow White. But God, (for those of you who don’t know this is my favorite phrase in the bible) who has a sense of humor gentle touched my heart and asked, “Why?” That was all, WHY… At first I didn’t understand the question as it rolled around in my heart. But then it hit me, why am I only focused on what I feel? I am always telling others the importance of not focusing on feelings, I lecture a lot about choosing our perspective. When I realized I was doing the very opposite of what I believed, I felt ashamed. But God, who is rich in mercy and full of grace reminded me that He is with me and He loves me, despite my grumpy, cranky attitude. As I strive to accomplish this new journey of using God’s word as my guide. I realize the only way for it to work is if I let it be my guide at all times, even (especially) on my grumpy, cranky days.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

So what’s my plan of attack? Remembering God’s in control even on my grumpy days.

Jan19

DAY 19 (2014)

Posted on January 19, 2014 by lsgrlr

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If we are wearied by the footmen, how will we contend with horses?

Today was a great day. We had a guest speaker at church, Pastor Levi Lusko. His message was called: Running With Horses (cue the Eagle). The title alone told me I was gonna love the sermon (I totally did!!!). His message was taken from Jeremiah 12. God had called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, but before sending him out. God started Jeremiah’s ministry at home. Things however, did not go as Jeremiah envisioned, therefore he starts whining to God (makes perfect sense to me 🙂 ). In Jeremiah 12:5, God answers Jeremiah’s whine with this: “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you. Then how can you contend with horses? If in the land of peace, in which you trusted, have wearied you. Then how will you do it in the floodplain of the Jordan?” The point if you can’t handle it now, when everything is in your favor, when you have home-field advantage, how will you manage at the away game (yup, slid a football analogy right in there). The question got me thinking. I whine a lot, in fact I would gold if it was an Olympic event. But if I can’t manage now, when all the odds are in my favor how will I manage when they aren’t? Then it hit me, this time was God preparing Jeremiah for what’s to come. He was teaching him how to handle the disappointments and the opposition that he would inevitably face. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. God promises to be with us, to walk us through. Many times our expectation is that the walk will be cake (because God is with us), but most times it is like walking on broken glass. But that’s part of the process. Why? We gain callouses that allow us to tread the broken glass easier. Don’t run from your broken glass days, take the steps needed to build your callouses. God wants us to run with horses. Not be wearied by footmen.

“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?” (Jeremiah 12:5, The Message Bible).

So what’s my plan of attack? Building callouses.

Jan18

DAY 18 (2014)

Posted on January 18, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Don’t see the stretch you have to run. See the finish line.

I was taught a lesson on how emotions color perspective today. Last week I made plans with a friend to meet for lunch. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and had a lot to catch up on. She’s my go to person for advice and to just bounce lessons I am learning off of. We are alike and very different at the same time. One area that we differ in is the area of time management, I am always early (or on time) and she is always late. It is hilarious because she knows it. So whenever she gets to destination before me, it is a win. Today’s meet up was at one. I texted her before leaving to let her know I was on my way. As I was driving through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but be in awe of it’s beauty. The roadways in my complex are lines with trees, shrubbery and brightly colored flowers. The scene before me as I drove was beautiful. It was like driving in a postcard serene and peaceful. I was early so I had time to enjoy the long drive out of my complex (it takes approximately 4 minutes to exit my community). About ten minutes into the drive, as I am stopped at a red light, I rummage through my bag to get something out of my wallet, that’s when I noticed…I. Don’t. Have. My. Wallet! I need to turn around. I decided to call my friend to let her know I will be LATE. Wait, what!? I. Don’t. Have. My. Phone. Either!!!! I quickly rush back to my house pick up my missing items and head back out. Only, this time the drive it NOT scenic, it is NOT beautiful or peaceful. I am NOT praising the landscaper. I am cursing the builder wondering why it takes so long to get out this place! Ha! As I was relaying the story of the re-drive to my friend, I was reminded that perspective is a choice. The landscape hadn’t suddenly become ugly or unpleasant, but my view of it did. Why? I was late I was in a hurry and it takes 4 minutes to exit my complex. We can choose our perspective. The second time around, had I chosen to let it, the drive could have been just as beautiful as the first. Instead I let my emotions and feeling dictate how I viewed it. Here’s some truth as we go through life working towards our goals. Perspective will either push us forward or hold us down. You can choose to see the bad things as road blocks, keeping you from your dreams. You can choose to see them as hurdles that need to be jumped, in order to reach the finish line.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. ‘For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior'” (Isaiah 43:2-3).

So what’s my plan of attack? Don’t see road blocks, see hurdles and jump them.

Jan16

DAY 16 (2014)

Posted on January 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path…
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Who taught us that violence is the only way to deal with a problem, or gain respect? Today in less than one hour I witnessed two separate acts of people choosing anger as a means of handling an easily manageable problem. In both situations the persons involved lost all sense of reasoning. I was amazed at how blinding anger can be, it keeps you from seeing the solution. But more than that it keeps us from seeing our wrong, and keeps the others person’s wrong ever present. This has left me wondering, when did this become the norm? Bad behavior use to be frowned upon, but lately it has become the go to route. I actually had a person ask me what was wrong with me, when I said I didn’t drink to handle my stress. As I look at the world now, I can’t help but think how God’s heart must be broken by our callous and non-caring attitude. We have advanced in technology, but have taken several steps back in humanity. Life is getting harder, but we are not without a solution to the problem. My granny use to always say, “If you can’t see the answer when looking straight ahead, it’s time to look UP.” God’s had the solution all along, He wrote book on problem solving. It’s time for us to look UP.

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

So what’s my plan of attack? Read the problem solving BOOK.

Jan9

DAY 9 (2014)

Posted on January 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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“DO” and “GO” with God.

So I have been putting my “go” and “do” plan into action. It is so cool and very peaceful to look at things from God’s perspective and not my own. Here’s what I have been learning, there literally is a verse in the bible for everything. When it says that God’s word is living and active, it is not a lie. I am encouraged on this new journey because each day He reveals something new. Shows me a new strength. Gives me a new perspective. Today as my brother and I were driving home, we where chatting about the future, and about upcoming changes. In the midst of our conversation he said something (I won’t say what yet, only because I feel the need to pray on it some more), and the moment he said it, it was as if God had answered questions that I had been asking Him for months. It’s so cool how God can show up in the midst of something so natural (like a conversation with my brother). Here’s some encouragement, if you plan on “going” and “doing” in this new year, let God be your guide, it will amaze and bless you when you realize just how close He is.

“The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

So what’s my plan of attack? “Do” and “Go” with God.

Dec30

DAY 364

Posted on December 30, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Today I have a headache, so my brain is having a little bit of trouble putting sentences together. So, I am apologizing in advance for anything that does not make sense. This will be another short week at work, short weeks are awesome for the mere fact that, well, it’s SHORT. But they are not so awesome in that the work some how doubles. Patients are in a rush to be seen before the office is closed for the holidays. Thus my headache. At one point in the day I was so over it, and I mean OVER IT, I couldn’t even stand myself. I was about to complain, (like the whiner I am). When God reminded me of this. I am blessed. I am blessed to work where I work, and do what I do. Many people would love to be in my shoes, yet I am whining because the day is a little busy. That point was made more real when I sat in on a peer interview, with a gentleman who has been unemployed due to lay offs and cut backs. I was reminded that life is hard, but God has been good. I can’t take His goodness or grace toward me for granted. This year is coming to an end in less than 48 hours, take stock of the past year be reminded of all the blessings you have been gifted this year, and take the time to thank the One who blessed you. Before you start to whine about your circumstances and situation, remember that no matter what your condition there is always at least one thing to be thankful for, focus on that. A wonderful thing happens when you do, you start to find other things to be thankful for.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

So what am I thankful for today? God’s unending blessings.

Dec23

DAY 357

Posted on December 23, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Life lessons from a phone battery…(Yup, it can happen).

So I had this bright idea it started on Saturday. Wait, for my idea to make sense let me back track a bit. I have a smart phone, it runs on a battery. Batteries are interesting things, if you don’t charge them, they don’t work. If you charge them too much they eventually lose their ability to hold a charge properly and thus, they don’t work. Most technologically advanced IT people (people way smarter than me) have told me it is good thing every once in a while to let the battery die ALL the way before charging it. Thus helping to extend the battery life (I am not an expert, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to try). So Saturday morning (once I took my phone off the charger) I made the decision to not charge my phone again until it died on its own. Today is Monday and as of 5 pm this evening my phone still had not died. I am tempted to just charge it anyway, but that would defeat the purpose of what I am trying to do. What I find really interesting and a little funny about this situation is not the “energizer bunny” like quality of my phone’s battery life, but my impatience and irritation at the fact that my phone has not died. I should be eternally happy to realize that my phone has such amazing battery power. Instead I am frustrated because it’s not doing what I want, which is for it to DIE. (Yes, I know it’s illogical, but I am experiencing it none the less). Here’s the correlation: How many times as we continue on this journey have we ignored a “good” thing because the outcome was not what we wanted? The fact that what happened trumps the outcome we wanted doesn’t matter. Why? Because good or bad we want what we want. Yes, we are a little silly. Today my phone battery thought me a lesson. Don’t be so focused on getting our (my) outcome that we (I) miss a “good thing”.

“And He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.’ And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper…” (1 King 19: 11-12).

So what am I thankful for today? Life lessons from a phone battery. (Side Note: My phone died at 6:53 pm. Funeral services will be… 😉 )

Dec21

Some Stories Just Need to be Shared:

Posted on December 21, 2013 by lsgrlr

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My friend Lena just posted this experience on her FB status. It was beautiful and humbling, and a TRUE picture of friendship and the irrelevance of status and wealth. People should be judged by who they are NOT what they have.

Thank you Lena this story truly blessed me:

2 homeless men came up to my sister and I outside of CVS one was crippled with a set of beautiful blue eyes and the other was fairly normal he held the hand of his friend to help him walk. He asked for change to get a snicker bar to share so I said, “I’ll buy it for you”. They weren’t allowed in the store because people seem to be annoyed by beggars. So I bought them snacks and brought them out to them. I was humbled by their friendship. They stuck with each other for the sake of love that they have for one another. Then they invited us to church tomorrow. I swear in that brief 10 minutes I learned so much. – Post by Lena N.

Dec1

DAY 335

Posted on December 1, 2013 by lsgrlr

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We are often the reason that we are bound.

I am contemplating my Monday morning email for work, tonight. Why? Because the events of the last seven days have been an opportunity to live what I preach (I blogged previously about a situation that transpired at my job). I wish I could say I have been a shining example of choosing “the right”, through adversity. Sadly that is not the case (I had several moments of whining about things not going my way). However, I can say this, during the past seven days I have had time to reflect. Time to decide what kind of example I want to set. Am I going to be someone that says one thing and does another? Or am I going to live what I say? The later is hard, but it is also what I am choosing. I want to be a right representative of what I believe. The circumstances surrounding the last seven days have not been to my liking, but my view is this: God is still on the throne, the world has not spun off its axis, and I still have the right to choose my perspective. On this journey things will not always go our way. people will disappoint us, but we still have the opportunity to choose a “right” attitude. Hmmmm…I think I found my Monday morning message.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

So what am I thankful for today? A change of perspective (even when the circumstance remains the same).

Nov25

DAY 329

Posted on November 25, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Changes come unexpectedly and unwanted sometimes. Even then be thankful.

On Mondays at my job I send out an email. Today’s topic: Thankfulness is a choice and by changing our perspective of a situation we change how we view and react to it. After sending out the email I start on my work. At around 10:00 am, I get an email from my boss asking me to come see her. In my mind I scroll over the events of the past couple of weeks, trying to ascertain whether I have done something wrong (I was a mischievous child). Nope. I am good. We are one big Cancer Institute, but I work solely for the breast cancer portion. In the main cancer center there is someone that does a job similar to mine. Today it seems was her last day (I am thinking not voluntary). I walk into my manager’s office and boldly proclaim I can’t be getting in trouble. She smiles at me and assures me I am not in any trouble, but I will probably want sit down for what she is about to tell me. Then she proceeds to tell me that effective tomorrow I will be working at the main cancer institute. TOMORROW!!! WHAT?!!! I have a fundamental issue with being told, instead of asked. My reaction (that I get to choose) is less than stellar. I wasn’t rude, or disrespectful, but I was visibly shaken and upset. The irony though is that as soon as I realized my behavior, I remembered my morning message. I have the ability to choose my perspective of the situation. Am I happy about what happened? No. But can I choose to find the good? Yes. So I prayed and asked God to change my view. My heart is calmer and tomorrow when I go to my new position I will go with the same attitude that I approached my previous one. This journey throws unexpected, and sometimes unwelcome curve balls, let your perspective be your catchers mitt.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

So what am I thankful for today? That my blog has taught me to find the “thankful”, even when it seems to not be there.