New perspectives change what you see

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“I know God sees the big picture of my life. I don’t need to know

everything from beginning to end, because God already does. Through

faith in Him, I can encounter life’s problems with confidence,

knowing that He will see me through. My God is bigger than whatever

circumstances may surround me!”

-- SUSAN MILLER

I went for a walk recently, and as I walked, I prayed about some

challenges and decisions in my life. It was a cool morning and I

picked up my pace to try to stay warm.

I came to a spot where I could look down at the ocean or, more

accurately, to where I thought the ocean was.

The view was very different, almost ethereal, due to a large low

cloud that gently blanketed the bay and the ocean. I couldn’t see the

horizon or any familiar landmarks.

I recall saying something to God about my thoughts being as foggy

as the view in front of me, and I asked him to give me clarity.

I realized that my prayers were more like a list of things I

wanted God to change for me, instead of asking him to show me how he

might want me to change, or to help me accept some of the

circumstances as they were. I tried to pray differently.

Later, I stopped for a moment and looked out again at the massive

cloud, and in an open patch, I saw a large dark object, which I

assumed to be an oil derrick.

As I walked and prayed, I thought about the fact that I hadn’t

spent time thanking God for the many ways he’d blessed my life, and I

tried to spend time focusing on gratitude.

A while later, I looked out and noticed that the cloud had

dissipated a little, and that the object I saw earlier seemed to have

moved and changed shape. I was looking at it from a different angle,

and this time it appeared to be moving very slowly, and I assumed

that it was a large ship or an oil tanker.

I headed down a hill and looked out again, wondering if I could

see the object better. This time, it was clearly a different shape

and at a different height. At last, I realized that it was a blimp,

and I watched as it slowly flew in my direction.

I chuckled to myself, and thought about how, from my present

vantage point, the blimp didn’t look at all like an oil derrick, a

ship or a tanker.

It occurred to me that I often look at my problems from a limited

perspective, one that is clouded by my fears. I also realized that

circumstances are not always what they seem at first.

I remembered that God knows his plans for my life, and I thanked

him that with his help, problems often become smaller and give us the

potential for personal growth.

He has an eternal perspective and I can thank him that he sees the

big picture, and I trust that he will always see me through.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.