Perceive is defined as; interpret or look on (someone or something) in a particular way; regard as.
Often the way we perceive or view a thing will determine the outcome. We see this in the story of the 12 spies. Two spies saw victory. The other ten only saw defeat, even though the saw the promised land. Even though God had promised the land to His people. (Numbers)
A couple days ago I was sitting on the back porch with my grandson, Bryson. We had just finished putting new cushions on my porch swings and furniture. We had cleaned everything up and sat down to take a break for a moment.
Looking down at my rug, I said, “I think I will have to get a new rug this year, this one has spots on it.”
Bryson said, “What are the spots?” I began to point them out. I said, “That big white spot is where Brailee (my granddaughter) sprayed snow on the Christmas village one year.”
I went on to say, “Those two spots over there are where Brailee put a clear sealer on the horses she was painting.”
Bryson said, “Nana, those don’t seem like spots, they seem like memories.”
In that moment, I saw my rug in a different way. No longer was it just stains that needed to be replaced, it became a rug of memories.
This insight caused me to look back through my life at different seasons and ponder them. I began to see that even though many of them were difficult seasons they were also times of great growth. They are moments of opportunity to grow in God. To trust more. To believe more. To press into more of God.
The Bible says, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. That being said, I don’t want to see things in my life, even difficult things, through a negative mindset. Instead, I desire to see things through the eyes of hope. I want to see through the eyes of faith. I want to see things the way God sees them.
Today, how are you seeing things in your life? Do you only see the negative. Do you set your mind on the problems instead of the promises of God. How do you see your children? Do you only see their faults, or do you choose to see the plan of God for their life and the gifts He has placed within them?
I saw spots, Bryson saw memories. His perception was the correct one.
My friend, as you face challenges in life, ask God to show you the time and season from His perspective. Ask Him to show you the good that will come out of that time. Choose to see things from His viewpoint. Choose to set your eyes and your mind on the things above.
For me, I know I need to get a new rug for my back porch, but now, instead of spots, I see memories – ones that I am not willing to let go of so quickly. I pray God helps me to always see the good in every season of my life – that is my prayer for you as well.
God led me to read this post at just the right time. He’d already reminded me that a house divided against itself could not stand. He was referring to my marriage. I had asked him to show me the truth about our differences and how to surrender my way for His. I know you were talking about a rug, but God used your words to encourage me in changing my perception about an important relationship!