Sixty-five degrees and thunderstorms. That just didn’t feel right for the first week of January.
And neither did I.
I am normally excited about fresh starts, but when I threw the door open to welcome 2023, all the problems of 2022 bullied their way in and dared me to do something about it.
I knew some time outside with my camera would help. Spending time with the wonders of creation always shifts my focus up to God. But, it was far too wet and windy for photography in the woods.
A grocery store bouquet with three tomato-red gerbera daisies beckoned from the counter.
They would have to do.
I carried the daisies to a north window and asked God to please do something for my malaise from inside the house that day.
~~~
Two of the daisies were perfect. But that third one…
Miss Daisy (yes, sometimes I name my flowers) looked like I felt. Kind of a mess. I wondered if she’d had a chance to wake up before the hothouse gardener came for her and her sisters. She certainly hadn’t taken time to tidy up!
I started by coaxing the three of them into a family portrait – a bit of a challenge with Miss Daisy’s attitude.
Then, it was time for the perfect sisters, their faces so bright and petals so evenly spaced and softly arched.
I saved Miss Daisy for last. Those petals! Some flipped up instead of gently curving down. Two stood up and twisted to show their white undersides. They gapped in two places and bunched in another. I realized I was starting to relax when I actually chuckled as I tried to capture her unruly “look.”
After several photos from the top and side, I gave her vase a quarter turn, moved in a half-step closer, lowered the camera to force my perspective up, and…
The wonder of it took my breath for a moment!
From that angle, her petals weren’t out of control; they were a ballerina’s fingers at the top of a graceful arabesque.
A slight turn. A few inches closer. A tiny shift in perspective.
A whole new picture.
May I never cease to be amazed by the way God chooses to answer prayer!
In my excitement about a “perspective shift,” I looked for some Bible passages on the subject. Where He led me (Thank You, Lord!) was to a wonderful trio for a fresh perspective on this new year.
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. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
I had been thinking only of the problems: extreme weather, war, unrest, disease. All the ugly. But there are so many noble, lovely, and admirable things going on with my family, my friends, my church, my community, and the world.
Thank You, Lord, for the reminder that You provide so much that is praiseworthy. We need only to open our hearts and look for it. Help us all, Lord, to think about “such things” and about how we can serve You in them.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
I had been focusing only on what is wrong and hard and unfair. Forgive my tunnel vision, Lord, and thank You that You love us too much to let us be consumed by the bad. Thank You that every morning, every moment, is another chance to experience Your faithfulness and Your grace. Help us, Lord, to reflect, extend, and share Your love and compassion with others.
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Lord, how often we look at the problems of this world, the pain in our lives, and think we are helpless – helpless to endure, helpless to make a change or a difference, helpless to… help. Forgive us our forgetfulness, and remind us, Lord, that we never face problems alone, that You are always with us, that You will help us in our own problems, that You will guide us when we are needed for others.
May we always be open to God’s changing our perspective. And, as we transition to 2023, may we also look for the blessing of God’s strength and presence in our lives.
10 Responses
What a delight to read! God is good, but we are so quick to focus on those things that are very much out of our control. Holding on to them is such a burden. God is just waiting for us to let them slip through our fingers and land back in His care where they belong. Refocusing and repentance with gratitude are just the right perspective. Like your Miss Daisy, we can be see through God’s eyes of love and grace. Thanks, Deb for sharing this message. It was just what my restless and worried heart needed to hear!!
Oh Cindy! I was just closing down the computer when your response popped in. I am so glad I was still online!
I LOVE your perspective about how focusing on what is out of our control is such a burden! So true! I hadn’t thought of it that way, but… YES. I am so guilty of that. And the image of God waiting for us to let them slip through our fingers and land in His care… The beauty of that image brought tears to my eyes. I will be carrying that with me. Thank you. Thank you.
My prayers continue for you and for your mom.
Take care.
You have such a skill in seeing the best of everything. Thank you so much for sharing! So uplifting is the Lord!
Actually, I tend toward the anxious side of things, but that forces me to pray A LOT that God would help me to trust Him.
Before I can relax into quiet trust, however, I often need to reboot. Few things work as well for that as spending time outside in God’s creation. After that, it seems, I can hear His voice in His Word so much better.
The Lord is, indeed, uplifting, and I marvel at the way He works to show us!
Take care.
I was reminded of a poem I kept in my classroom, HERE’S TO THE KIDS WHO ARE DIFFERENT! Indeed…who sets the standards? Who says “You’re supposed to do….?” When you turned her and looked at her from a different angle or side, you were amazed at her beauty. Exactly! When meeting someone or confronting someone or having to deal with someone, let’s turn the person to a different angle before judging or complaining. What a different and beautiful person we may see.
Perhaps this story fits: at our Bible study we were discussing our desire for peace. That peace brings contentment which in turn produces joy, real joy. One of the members asked how to describe when a person would have true joy in her relationship with God. A discussion ensued. We struggled to give examples and to find words that expressed such a relationship, joy from peace given by our Father. On the way home while still thinking, I decided the word is vulnerability. When we can know peace and contentment and then joy, we are like a trusting pet who in our Father’s presence joyfully and confidently rolls over, completely vulnerable waiting for a tummy rub. Tummy rubs of faith and trust and contentment and peace and joy. Such gifts the Father has lavished…
Shelley,
Here’s to the Kids Who Are Different: I love that! Yes, that is another completely different look at Miss Daisy. Thank you! How much better the world would be if we had little alarms on our phones or watches that buzzed and flashed, “You’re stereotyping. Stop it and give them a chance.”
And, what an interesting take on joy and vulnerability! I love it! I never thought of the two together, but I see what you mean. Our complete and vulnerable trust in God allows for a much more joyful look forward into the unknown.
What an interesting Bible study. Thank you so much for sharing!
Take care.
Thanks to Pam Deterding’s suggestion, I just found your website. I love it ! We all so much need positive thoughts with so many scary things going on in the world. I think part of what makes it so worrisome is the fact that with our many devices bombarding us with shocking, awful news 24/7 it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Your thoughts and observations reminded me of all the wonderful things God has given us and to not get dragged down by the bad stuff in the world that we can’t do anything about anyhow. No need to feel like I should be doing things to fix all those bad things in the world – just have faith that God is in charge and do small good things and enjoy all the small blessings in our lives. I’m so glad you’re doing this website sharing your thoughts and great photography. You have the knack for seeing things from different perspectives.
Your final “charming library assistant ” paraprofessional, aide, and most of all – friend=kc
Oh, Kay! Thank you! And thanks to Pam for telling you about the website! I’m glad you enjoy it.
I like your reminder that it isn’t our job to try to fix all the bad stuff in the world, that we simply need to trust God and focus on our blessings and on what we can do to help others!
I consider it such a blessing to live surrounded by God’s beautiful gifts in nature. And, I am thankful to be able to share those gifts in photographs. My prayer is always that those who see them will join me in saying, “Thank You, Lord, for this beauty!”
Those years of working together in the library? You did so many “small good things” and were such a blessing to me – and to the students and faculty and staff. You were way more than a “charming library assistant!” You were definitely a friend -especially through some pretty tough times in my personal life.
Take care.
Deb
I tend to be on the anxious side of things as well and I can very much can relate. I needed to read this! Thank you Deb!
Thanks for sharing that, Patty.
Isn’t it amazing how God works?! I am always amazed when I find something seemingly random that speaks to me at the exact time in the exact way I needed. It might be a Bible verse that I’ve read a thousand times before but suddenly see differently or a passage in a book that speaks to my heart. Every time that happens, I just have to shake my head and think, “Thank You, Lord.” Sometimes He’s working in us and sometimes He’s working through us. I’m just glad that all the time He is working with us!
Take care!
Deb