REGARDLESS to where one is in this life, we all have a different point of view, a different perspective of the exact same situation. We have no idea what another person has suffered, who and/or what actions have shaped their lives, nor how they see the exact same situation. No one is perfect, and we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We must let go, and peacefully accept what we cannot change, courageously change the only person over whom we have any control, ourselves, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
We only have today. Tomorrow is not promised, so we should be thankful for each moment. Hardship is the pathway to peace while we live in this sinful world over which we have absolutely no control, trusting God to make all things right if we surrender to His will. That is the ONLY way to be reasonably happy in this life, because happiness depends on happenings, and reasonably happy is all we get here. However, the joy of the Lord is our strength. JOY depends on knowing Jesus as Lord, helping Others and putting Your own needs last, while demonstrating with our actions the spirit of Christ, praying in the name of Jesus for his Truth to reign.
Everything is God’s. He is in control. We’ve all made mistakes, therefore do not judge others or we call judgement upon ourselves. (James 5:9) We must forgive to be forgiven by God. (Luke 6:37) We have no choice, if we want the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. We can try to be perfect, but only Jesus is. The litmus test is peace. When we get in a perfectionistic mode, that is when we get beat up, trying to keep a stiff upper lip when we must let the Word of God rule our lives. He tells us to love unconditionally (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and forgive 70 times 7. (Matthew 18:21-22) Quit counting. Just forgive!
Understand, EVERYONE has a different point of view of the exact same situation. Allow an understanding of the VIEW CUBE to help you have ‘Serenity’ and ‘Let Go’!
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DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW I KNOW?
My 6-year-old grandson Scott had just been placed in child welfare, after being programmed against us while not in our presence for several months. He was very unhappy about the possibility of returning to Atlanta with me and his father who had recently been granted legal custody.
He did not want to talk to us on the telephone the night before we were to fly to the city where he was being held prior to going to court the next morning. I prayed he would tell the judge he wanted to leave with us. If not, the judge was NOT going to grant his return to Charles’ custody. (Yuk!!!)
When we arrived the night before the court hearing, the Holy Spirit prompted me to buy the supplies that would win his attention. I told my son to take me to that store for supplies, and remained awake until 3am, carefully listening to my GPS (God’s Powerful Spirit) guiding me to make the “View Cube”.
We arrived at the courthouse about 9am. Scott walked into the large waiting room hand in hand with his social worker, saw us and quickly, angrily turned his head. Instantly appalled, thankfully I knew my next move.
Slowly, I approached him, kneeled to be eye level and said, “Scott, I remember your favorite color. Yellow. Right?” He looked a little surprised but said nothing as our eyes met for the first time.
I gradually removed the cube from the bag and said “I made you a gift. Is this whole cube yellow?” He slowly shook his head.
Slightly turning the cube, I said, “Grammy’s favorite color is red. Right? Is this cube just yellow and red?” Again, he nodded affirmatively.
I turned the cube again and said, “Your mother’s favorite color is blue, …and there is a green side. Let’s say green is your Daddy’s favorite color. Okay?” Brighter eyed, he agreed. I knew I had his attention! He politely took the cube, smiled and started slowly turning it while looking intently at the images glued on each side. I said, …
“The yellow butterfly on each colored side represents you. Scott, we ALL love and want you. The other colorful hearts on the yellow side represent your grandmother, aunts and anyone else who knows how wonderful you are. The cross on each side represents our faith, and God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice. He wants us to love and forgive one another as He loves and forgives each of us. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Only God can see all points of view at the same time. Only He knows the beginning, middle, inside and the end. He knows what’s best and wants you to be with loving family members, not strangers. We do not want you to remain here.”
Then I removed the cube lid and revealed the contents: linked multicolored paper images of human figures, un-discernable indistinct shapes, pins, files, etc. I said… “Only God knows what’s going on inside each person. We must accept what cannot be seen, …what makes people the way they are. We don’t know. But I DO know that we want you to fly back to Atlanta with us. Okay?”
Immediately he seemed to understand, heard the word ‘fly’, and that did it! He hugged the cube to his chest and smiled as our turn to walk into the courtroom was announced. (My statements were affirmed as other people overheard my conversation while waiting to enter with children. They silently, supernaturally applauded with their vivid expressions, polite looks, sighs, murmurs and smiles!)
Scott stood before the judge. After answering several questions, the Judge asked if he wanted to go home with us. He quickly smiled and said “Yes!”
The Judge slammed the gavel and granted us permission to leave. Charles scooped up Scott as he clutched the cube, put him on his shoulders and we all joyfully left the courtroom! Praise the Lord for His wonderful peace, grace and goodness to our sanctified family.