Perspective is Everything.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This whole semester just feels different, like I am living life looking through different glasses (metaphorically speaking... I am working on not needing a higher prescription). I am slightly obsessed with putting pretty pictures and quotes on my walls, and I think this one accurately reflects something I have been contemplating a lot lately.

It really does matter how you perceive things. Any given day, something will go awry. Sometimes you can fix those problems; other times you cannot. If you let a situation not turning out as you had planned or wanted determine your mood, then you will never be happy. As my friend Marlena's voice mail says, "Remember to find joy in the little things in life." That is so true. Each day, we must choose to look for joy in something other than the circumstances.

C.S. Lewis describes this very accurately in Mere Christianity. “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.” 

This quote stood out to me when we read that book in Apologetics my senior year of high school, but I don't think I have been more aware of my need to die to myself each day and choose to live in Christ than I have this year. I am still learning, and there is oh so much to learn. I want to live a grateful life every day, not just on days like today. So often I am frustrated when I feel entitled to something that I cannot have for whatever reason. I am not entitled to anything though. I am beyond blessed, and I want to be grateful for what I have been blessed with. I want to learn contentment in all circumstances of life. I can't remember the source of this quote, but I have found it very true: "Learning gratitude turns everything into enough." 

I am grateful for so many things. I am genuinely happy with where I am in life right now even though it is a struggle. Quite honestly, there are some things that I really want to happen RIGHT NOW. But I am trusting in His provision for my life. If the Lord wills it, then it will be, and I am continually seeking to get rid of my selfish desires for His.