The Power of Perspective

"Something just didn't seem right" I thought to myself sitting at home late last friday night.  I just had some good guy time with men from our church; grilling, inventing smore's with Samoa girlscout cookies, and just catching up on life. Now I was laying in bed acutely aware of how different home is in light of the absence of my wife Danielle.

Danielle had journeyed to Valle Crucis for a women's retreat and I was home alone for the first time since our wedding last May. The house sounded silent as I wrestled to fall asleep. As I lay there, thoughts of my wife's sweet smile and laughter drifted through my mind.  I was missing her. 

"Getting Perspective" is the phrase I think best describes the process taking shape in my mind and heart that night. In my experience of the absence of my wife's presence and personality, I was keenly aware of the significance that her presence and personality play in my enjoyment of life. 

It was great to listen to her voice the next day as she detailed her experience of the retreat. She was particularly struck by the passage from the Friday night talk. "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God... For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1) Danielle shared how she longed to live with this perspective of Jesus, more consistently.

An idea behind perspective is seeing things rightly.  Seeing things the way they truly are. An intriguing facet of human nature, is our bent towards taking things for granted. Our tendency to overlook the significance and value of things or people that we know are incredibly significant. I see this as a remaining residue of our depravity and brokenness as humans. Our inability to see things rightly - to see truth.

This morning I woke up to sunshine and the joy of knowing that I will see my wife today. This morning Danielle woke up to sunshine and a growing desire to dwell on the magnificence of Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all things.  Although Danielle and I were miles apart we both had pondered the power of perspective.