Perspective.
It is a wet wintery morning here in central Florida. The temperature is forty degrees (with “feels like” in the 30s), and the precipitation is at 100%.
The wind gust often has the rain streaming horizontally across the pasture. Windchill factor is in the high twenties, low thirties. Burrrr.
Peering into my backyard, I see a momma deer and her baby nibbling. Then, a buck decides to join them and they all leap off into the woods. (I love seeing the wildlife!)
I received a Snapchat (totally new to that whole concept, and seriously doubt I’ll use it often), from my sister-in-love in South Georgia, of snow falling and blanketing the ground. Snowball fighting begins. Sweet! (This makes my niece extremely happy!)
Listening to the rain fall upon the tin roof, I’m reminded of rainy days at my Grandma Hunter’s home. Precious memories.
A blanket draped across my legs, and a cup of hot tea to warm me, it appears all is right at this moment.
OR…from someone else’s perspective…they may see the frigid air (yes, SUPER frigid for this Florida girl) and rain as a hindrance on their day. The weather may cause traffic delays and accidents, a halt to construction, road closures, or a damper on one’s golf outing. For the strawberry farmers, in our Winter Strawberry Capitol of the World town, they will be paying extra attention to the weather conditions, which could cause the strawberries to yummily (new word) become sweeter or create longer work hours to protect their crop from the freezing temps into the night.
(Side note…My brother, Kenneth, is the Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. I texted him this morning, asking about the farmers. His reply, “Weather is not ideal. Expecting to take freeze protection measures the next few nights. Cooler weather makes the berries better.” So, get ready, y’all, we’ve got some sweet berries getting ready to hit the shelves. Purchase your Plant City strawberries! Visit the website above for delicious recipes, fun facts, and news updates.)
PERSPECTIVE.
When I typed the word, perspective, into the search section of this website, it was evident that this topic is a frequented subject for journaling. (Click here to see the plethora of journal entries. I’d love to hear which is your favorite.)
Do you need to put on your God goggles? That’s what I call it when I need a new perspective on things.
To help you get started, here are a few recommendations:
- Seek God first!
- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
- Be happy with what you have.
- Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Hebrews 13:5
- Allow God to transform your thoughts.
- Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2
- Have a “Whatever” kind of attitude.
- Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
When we begin seeing our circumstances, and challenges, as moments to help us grow and strengthen our relationship closer to God, our hearts won’t be like the frigid weather…they will soften and warm up to new experiences. Our attitudes will become more loving and compassionate, and less selfish.
I pray that your will put your God Goggles on and allow God to change your grouchy or despairing perspective into seeing greatness and hope.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
