Perspective

“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” ~ John Lubbock

“The optimist sees the donut, the pessimist sees the hole.” ~Oscar Wilde

“Often it isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out, it's the little pebble in your shoe.” ~Muhammad Ali

Perspective. How we handle life is all about this isn't? My bad days could be someone's great day. For those who have children battling cancer or facing serious health issues, your day of being exhausted because your little one is running all over may seem like a dream. For those who've had difficult pregnancies, my frustration at the inconveniences of pregnancy may seem like nothing to complain about. It's all in how we see it.

Lately, Muhammad Ali's quote would seem to apply to me. The mountains of life aren't wearing me out. I've seen them coming. I know they're there. They haven't moved; I'm the one moving - around them, closer to them - they're stable if even in a daunting way. It's the pebble(s) in my shoe that is really wearing me out these days. The unexpected things. The things that happen that interrupt my glorious plans.

“For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.” ~ C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Oh, that I would be the sort of person that would use these pebbles as an opportunity to refine me. That I would stop long enough to remove my shoe, take out the pebble, and look at it. Maybe then I would see that the pebble is a precious gem. That what seemed like a wasted night because one box got packed was actually much-needed quality time with the hubs just sitting, watching tv and being. That what seems like stress and inconvenience all around, is actually God preparing me for having a little one in a few short months who will be all kinds of an inconvenience - yet such an unbelievable blessing and answer to prayer! I pray that I use these times now to be refined, so that my perspective is heavenly-minded and full of patience when Reed appears on the scene.

...And wouldn't you know it. As soon as I thought I was finished writing this post, yet another pebble showed itself. The pebble of disappointment. So here's my choice - how do I respond?

How do you respond? What are your pebbles?