Blessings, Uncertainty, and Perspective

It's been a weird and great last few months so I apologize for those of you who read this blog mostly to see pictures of Carolyn.  I am not an avid journal keeper.  In fact, I used to try and keep one and it would never last so I eventually gave up.  The last few weeks have been very weird for me filled with lots of highs and lots of lows so I decided to do a different kind of post tonight... a more "what's on my mind" theme if you will. 

In the last few months I have seen friends and family go through extremely hard and sometimes devastating events while at the same time I have been able to share in awesome events and blessings with friends and family as well.  My own life has been filled with both great excitement and great sadness.  While I have been occupied this last few weeks being stressed about the on-line class I taught this summer, the buying and selling process of homes, and how to get my toddler to not throw her food and scream I have had people very dear to me experience extreme heartbreak and fear over situations in their own lives.  Sometimes as a Christian (and a human) it is often hard to comprehend how pain and joy can exist so simultaneously.  When I think of my grandma's last moments and the heartbreak we were experiencing I also often think of the extreme joy some other family was experiencing at the very same moment with that thing they call the circle of life.  After some conversations with people dear to me I think the only way to comprehend everything is by keeping perspective.  Perspective. Such an interesting word.  I was feeling very guilty today about being stressed about our appraisal not being released yet for our closing when so many other people are dealing with much more severe situations.  Luckily a good friend reminded me that it's ok to admit that it is a big deal to me even though others are going through situations that seem more daunting so long as I keep it in perspective.  I wonder how much more civil and caring the world would be if we could all keep that one simple word in the forefront of our minds.  How much more would people feel that I cared or understood if I always kept that in mind?  How much different would the whole Chick-fil-A debacle be if both sides tried to see the other point of view? How many real solutions could our government have created if they kept perspective instead of demonizing their opponents? Perspective.  Something to keep in mind as we go through life. 

For those of you going through a tough time I leave you with a song that has brought me much comfort since the death of my grandma.  While it isn't technically a religious song... I consider it to be and picture God singing it to me whenever I feel lonely or worried.