One Situation, Different Perspectives

When we first moved to Tennessee, we rented a house that had a bonus room over the garage. Most weekends all the big kids slept in that room instead of their own. While we were at this house, Timothy started having trouble sleeping. He would wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and not be able to go back to sleep. After one particularly bad night with Timothy, Zachary came stumbling sleepily down the stairs. Knowing how many times Timothy had woken me up, I asked Zachary if he was able to sleep. He told me that at one point he woke up to Timothy hammering on him with a toy hammer. As most people would do, he asked him what in the world he was doing. Timothy responded happily, "It's working! My robot is working!" One situation, two very different perspectives. Zachary was annoyed that Timothy had woken him up with his nonsense. Timothy was overjoyed that the robot he had been "working" on finally came to life. I know in my life, when things happen that I don't understand, I have a different perspective than the Lord. I see what's right in front of me and God sees the big picture. He sees how He will use it for His glory and to make me more like Christ. I think sometimes I do things without much thought, thinking it's not a big deal. In reality, God sees how everything weaves together for a purpose. When we found out about all of Timothy's new allergies, it was very difficult to process. It never dawned on me that he could be allergic to meats. Then the Lord reminded me that some time ago we switched from ground beef to ground turkey and from pork sausage to turkey italian sausage. It didn't seem like a big decision at the time, but looking back it was huge. Beef and pork were the meats that he was most allergic to. I do so much to try and protect Timothy, but there are so many things that are out of my control and that I don't know. There is nothing, however, that God doesn't know and that is out of His control. I'm learning more and more each day how to trust completely in the Lord, especially when trials come my way. In James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." As I was studying through Acts, I was impressed by the disciple's reactions to various trials. They didn't pray that God would keep them from trials. They prayed that when the trials came, God would guide them through and use it for His glory. I wish I could say that every time a trial comes my way I praise God as much as I do when good things happen. I think the Lord reminded me of that time between Zachary and Timothy so I will remember I don't always view my circumstances with the same perspective that He does. I want to become more like Christ so that I'll see life through a godly perspective instead of my human perspective. Not my will Lord, but Yours.