Perspective of One

Before I went to the store the other day, I had just finished reading an article about human trafficking and abuse in China. It went into great detail about the exploitation and exportation of women and children to other countries and the estimated 9.6 billion dollars that it generates toward the Chinese economy. This certainly isn’t limited to China, it is a worldwide epidemic of evil but, that gives you an idea of my head/heart feeling at the time….

You know how when you walk thru the grocery store and you see that poor mother, with children in tow, all asking her for something? And when she says no to their candy, etc., well watch out for the fussing. Well, this mom was pushing a A FULL BASKET OF FOOD!!! I was really struck by the complete lack of gratitude in her kids. They were totally fixated on what they didn’t have, not the bounty that mom was headed home with for them.

I have had that in my head for days….the lack was not in their stomachs, it was in their heart. Thankfully, they were young and there are years yet for that dear mom to teach them of God and His love for them. But, insert confession time here, I get cranky in the grocery store, too. Ya know, when that one thing I need at the store for dinner, isn’t there. Hello?!?!?! There’s a store full of stuff to choose from. None of us ever outgrow the ability (not a good one, either) to focus on the one thing we don’t have. Worse yet, the assumption that we really ‘need’ it in the first place! This type of thinking comes from my ‘perspective of one’…me.

A perspective of one pushes against an open heart and leaves no view of gratitude ~ the wide vistas of God’s gracious provision. 

A perspective of one sees with eyes of want, not wonder at the Love abiding within our very soul.

When we are ‘lacking’ in kindness, compassion, graciousness, gentleness there is an answer…that of opening up our hearts to The One and to allow the Love of The One to raise our gaze to the Horizon of Hope eternal. His mercies are new every morning and within them are the Joys of His salvation and in our every moment, lingers the breath of The Creator Yahweh, He Who speaks every moment into being.

I have a book called, “Praying the Names of God” by Ann Spangler and took it with me today for a walk in the labyrinth. (after the grocery store) This was one of the Scriptures for today…

 I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising,

All the generous bounties of God, his great goodness to the family of Israel—

Compassion lavished, love extravagant.

He said, “Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me.” So he became their Savior. In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn’t send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time.

Isaiah 63:7-9

The Message Version

Compassion lavished, love extravagant...that is The One who cares for and carries us in our every day! To put the needs of others before our own wants ~ that heart-change alone would change our world!

Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil this gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love.

Galatians 5:13

The Voice Version