a new perspective on perspective

"here ends another day during which i have had ears, eyes, hands, and the great world around me and tomorrow begins another. why am i allowed two?" - g.k. chesterton

learning to live in the contentment of being loved means receiving the gift of perspective.

i want to live with this type of grateful perspective.

thankful for peter.

i was reading today about peter and he just made me think. i'm really glad that pter was chosen to be one of the disciples because i feel like i am a lot like peter. this book i have been reading "love beyond reason" (its amazing!) was talking about the time when peter denied Christ and then how Jesus later "reinstated" him. it also talked about how peter acted impulsively, without thinking and how he would often put his foot in his mouth. i connect with that... that's me! it also went on to talk about the time when peter tried to walk on water. he was doing great until he took his eyes off of Jesus, that's when he became filled with doubt and fear. once again that's me. i start walking out in faith when suddenly i am overcome with doubt and fear because in those moments i have taken my eyes off of Christ and started to notice the dangers all around me. i understand peter and his battle with fear. i understand his emotionally driven life. the coolest part i think though, is seeing Jesus' response to peter and knowing that that is also how Jesus responds to me. when i am drowning in my fear and doubt, He grabs my hand and lifts me out of the deep. when i impulsively cut off someone's ear, he shows grace and patience and brings healing to the situation. when i deny the Lord out of fear and my people pleasing ways, He gently reinstates me and patiently asks for my love, never giving up on me.

why do fear and doubt have to be such constant companions?

i just couldn't resist.

my friend posted this picture and i thought it was too cute not to share.

i miss the days when showing a little crack was considered cute.

so this is what it is supposed to be like.

tonight we sang this song and the words really struck me...

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart Yes You've won my heart
Now I can Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down I'm laying every burden down