Perspective

Sometimes it catches me by surprise just how great God is and how flawlessly He teaches His children in everyday moments.

This morning I was both honored and excited to spend some time with my dear friend Amanda and her mother as Amanda tried on her wedding gown for the first time.  I knew it would be a fun appointment and would be very special to her and her mother.  You see, Amanda's mom is battling breast cancer for the second time.  With Amanda's wedding coming up this Summer and Amanda's brother and his wife expecting the first grandchild in May - she's got a lot to fight for! But despite everything she's faced with, she has the most remarkable attitude that I've ever experienced.  Both she and Amanda made the most of today and do exactly that every single day.  I was blessed to witness just a small piece of that today and I left that bridal shop feeling nothing short of convicted.

There are many days that I spend upset, discouraged, angry, for one reason or another and I struggle daily to keep perspective and to stay positive.  And for what reason?  Because I had a bad day?  I'm unsure of a decision I've made? Truly these things are of no consequence in comparison to the challenges that people like Amanda's mom, or those that have lost jobs in the economic downturn, or those in third world countries who only want clean water face each and every day.

So with this newfound perspective, there are a couple realizations I've had.  And maybe they're things you've heard before - I know I have heard some of them before - but I'm beginning to understand them further.

Love more.

Love when it's not deserved, not asked for, and even when it's not returned.  Love anyway.  You and those you love will always be better off if you follow that rule.

It's easy to say if you don't like where you are - change it. But in the world and the economy we live in today, it's not always that easy.  So change it if you can, prayerfully consider it first and if you can't change it now, be grateful that you have been provided the time to gradually get where you need to be.  Not everyone is that lucky.

Today was an important day for Amanda and her mom.  And it was an honor to spend time with them, and even more of an honor to learn from and be inspired by them.