perspective

It's been quite a summer. Our little wee one, who I've started calling "Bay," thanks to Charlie calling her that--Charlie talk for 'baby'--lots of changes in our routine, lots of chances to grow in patience and faith, lots of less-than-perfect mommy moments. I'm sure you can all relate. At least to the chances to grow part. God does this at the worst times. The times when we think there's nothing left to give because we are at the very end of any rope in our house. What's He thinking sometimes? I don't intend to push the limit on questioning God at all. I am simply being honest about my reaction to His timing. It is perfect. It has everything to do with Him and His provision. But sometimes lately it feels like it's off.

"Consider the work of God:

For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful,

But in the day of adversity consider:

Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.

So that man can find out nothing that will come after him."

(Ecclesiastes 7:13-14)

Does this give you comfort?

Well friend, it should. It gives me comfort when I start thinking about timing. Think about it. Perspective really has everything to do with who we're thinking about. If I'm thinking about me, what I want to do, what time I need to do something, how hard whatever is, I'll always be frustrated. If I think about what God is doing and other people He is doing things through, I have a brand new perspective and a lot less frustration. It's an elementary idea and I've been really failing to execute this lately. Like that day I found grass in my bathtub, I'm gonna pray for help with the moments when I feel like I'm all done. Instead of saying, "God, help me get through this," I'm gonna work on saying, "God thank you for the chance to do this...help me do it in the way You want me to, not just get through it." See the difference? If you know me in real life and want to hold me accountable, please do. If I act like you make me mad when you do it, do it anyway! Ha! I'm in need of some sharpening, friends.

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)

Think about your perspective. Pray about your perspective. Let's do this together so I don't feel like a failure.

grin.

Now that that's said, enjoy some pictures taken on my phone as usual. While you're at it, consider forgiving me for once again using the phone instead of a real camera. Oh, what's that? You're used to it? Oh good.

Perspective: Instead of getting sad that I can't take my kids to the pool (for safety's sake,) I can be excited about my little Target blow up pool in my back yard. I can be thankful for friends coming over to keep me company while my man's on a trip. I can be thankful somebody makes sunglasses that fit a little man like Cody and that Cody wears them instead of thinking back to when I got some of those for Ty and he wouldn't have it.
Perspective: Instead of wishing I could take all of the kids to the park and being frustrated that it's Africa hot and Charlie gets overheated easily and vomits because of the heat, (she did it yesterday,) I can be thankful there is a cute little park right down the street from my house that is almost completely shaded. It might not have slides or swings but it has branches to play with.
Perspective: Instead of getting mad at the girl behind the counter at Plato's Closet who told me some of my clothes I was selling were "too mature," (a humble moment,) I can look at Charlie who just discovered sunglasses and say, "thank God for my kids whose lives have taken a toll on my body and closet yes but have made me a completely different person, I think for the better." I can be glad I'm considered mature even if it's only because my clothes are more suitable for old ladies. At least 30 year-old ones.
And because she's just that cute, I can find one more about her

Perspective: Instead of panicking that my house was coming down with a virus yesterday, I can calmly think through my plan of action. I can get extra crib sheets ready and pray for strength. In truth I still panicked a little bit. Y'all, there's nothing worse than a virus, don't you think? I was praying with every step I took that I hadn't exposed Cody or David to a virus and thankfully she was 100 % fine after her nap and it was, in fact, just that she got overheated.

Here's hoping for some new perspective today for you too, even if you're already good at this thing I'm working on.