Perspective

I watched Soul Surfer with the kiddos a few nights ago, and I found myself crying throughout the entire movie. I was able to relate to that story on so many levels. I know the heart wrenching panic and anguish that comes when running to get help for something so tragic that your mind hasn't yet comprehended. I understand the mother's cry for God to not take her child. I know how life can change in a moment and your identity has been taken. I felt like I was able to relate to almost every character within the movie. The part of the movie that I felt compelled to share was when Carrie Underwood's character was giving a devotional on perspective. I realized that what she was describing was my exact coping mechanism for the past 2 1/2 years.

When looking at an object under a microscope or magnifying glass, you only see a small portion, and without prior knowledge of what you are looking at, you would have an incredibly hard time identifying the object. Many times when you are looking at an object up close, the image is blurry. This happens to us in life to. When things happen that we can't understand, we dissect the situation, examine it, and only look at it closely and the way it affects us. We need to step back and look at the larger picture in order to see clearly.

Situations happen to us, but we are not the only ones affected. While it's true that tragic situations affect us negatively, they can affect others in positive ways. When our daughter died, we had family members and friends give their life to Christ because of what they saw in our faith and church. These loved ones now have an eternal place in Heaven because of what happened to us. It's only because of seeing the "good and bigger" picture that we are able to walk in faith instead of depression. This life is only a small part of the eternal life we will have. The Apostle Paul describes this life as a vapor. When tragic things happen, you must step back, examine the eternal picture, and trust in the Lord. That is when you are truly able to see and things make sense.

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

Great e-mail

 I was just thinking to myself this morning about how I need to spend the time and post something. We have had a couple busy weeks preparing for church camp and then going to camp. We returned last Friday, and I finally have the bags unpacked and all the laundry is done. We had so much fun at camp. The kids and I came home with a deeper connection to God. Anyway, I was trying to decide what to post this morning. I have several devotions in my journal, but none of them seemed fitting at this moment. I decided to check my e-mails before opening this blog, and I came across this e-mail from my mom. It seemed so fitting today, so I decided to paste it on my page. I pray daily for God to lift my burden, but I tend to forget that He uses the burdens to build character, prepare you for the future, and to glorify Himself. This was a great little reminder...

     
Awesome!!  
We complain about the cross we bear
but don't  realize it is preparing us for
the dip in  the road that God can see
and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after  the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows  may linger, throughout the night,
But  suddenly vanish, dawn's early  light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love....

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

...and you question God -'why me?'..
always look at the bigger picture...
A day without the Lord- Is a day wasted.