Perspective – a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Mrs. Jones, an 83-year-old lady, was dressed and ready every morning by 8:00. Her hair was styled, makeup applied, and she was prepared to greet the day. Due to her husband’s recent death, arrangements were made for her to move to a retirement home. Upon arrival, she waited for quite a while for her room to be ready. When the time came, she was escorted to her new place to live. The worker was describing her new home when Mrs. Jones responded, “I love it!” The escort said, “You haven’t seen the room, just wait.” “That doesn’t matter. Happiness is something you decide over time. Whether or not I like my room doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it depends on how I arrange my mind. Every day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I will focus on the new day and the happy memories I’ve stored just for this time in my life.”
Louisa McKinney had dropped by Dollar Tree to purchase some wrapping paper. While shopping she became aware of an older gentleman asking an employee to help him pick out a birthday card. When questioned about who it was for, the man said, “It’s for me. If I wake up tomorrow, I’ll be 85.” He further explained, “My wife wanted to get me something, but she’s very sick and cannot leave the house, and I want her to know I got a birthday card from her.” As the conversation continued, the man talked about his wife, his teenage marriage, serving in the military, and his family. Instead of pity, Louisa and the people around the older man were given a beautiful picture of love.
While home for a visit, a son accompanied his father to the bank, so his dad could transfer some money. After an hour, and a completed transaction, it was time to go. On the way home, the son asked his father about looking into internet banking. He also talked to him about the convenience of shopping online and having groceries and other items delivered to their home. His father’s response reminded him of keeping things in perspective. “Since I entered the bank today, I have met four of my friends. I have chatted a while with the staff who know me very well by now. This is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have enough time; it is the physical touch that I crave.” The father then told his son about being sick and how the store owner came and sat by his side and cried with him. When his wife fell down on her morning walk, the grocer found her and brought her home, because he knew where they lived. The father concluded, “Would I have that ‘human’ touch if everything became online? I like to know the person I’m dealing with and not just the ‘seller.’ It creates bonds of relationships.”
It was time for the end of year 1st grade parent/teacher conferences, where test scores, benchmarks, and other data are discussed and presented to the parents. After numerous conferences, the teacher was taken by surprise when one mother responded in a new way before any information was given. “I don’t worry about all the reading and math; she will get there. I want to know…how is she, as a person? Is she kind? Does she include others?” Character matters, with or without a checklist.
Keeping things in perspective can shed a new light on situations. Oh, that we would choose to look at life like Jesus does, to see, hear, and respond with His heart, to be His aroma to those we meet, to taste and see that He is good, and speak often of His love and truth.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Matthew 13:16
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14
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