A Fresh Perspective

A Fresh Perspective

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

When I received the news Wednesday that my transmission was shot and needed rebuilding, with the accompanying price tag attached, I was still operating with a fresh perspective on life gained at my 40th reunion last week back home in New York. Each of our lives contains some measure of disappointment, difficulty and trouble that we must face and deal with as best we can. How we do that is often greatly affected by our ability to keep life in perspective. The time spent with my fellow classmates revealed some stories that, in my sharing, might help each of
us to not look at life through too narrow of a lens:

* Richard Yaeger, probably my best friend in high school and the years that followed, has MS, Multiple Sclerosis, and is confined to a wheelchair. Despite having lost most of his muscle control, Richard smiled, laughed and reminisced with friends throughout the night and was one of the last to leave. He didn't have the strength to shake hands very well but his spirit was inspiring to all.

* Jeanette Sleight, a good friend's wife, was also in a wheel chair with MS but, rather than talking about that, she wanted to show off pics of her grandkids and talk about all that is going on in their lives. (rather proudly I might add!!)

* George Keegan, the fastest runner on our track team who went on to compete in college, is battling Alzheimers and the related symptoms but was able to joke about his memory problems and needing a ride to the reunion while we enjoyed the many stories from our high school days.

* Barb Knope was another who was suffering from MS but seemed so thankful for the medicines that, in her case, are keeping the disease in remission. Her own perspective was no doubt affected by being around other MS sufferers who are confined to wheelchairs.

* Jim Zimmerman is battling Parkinson's Disease but he was there with his wife Barb and you could only admire his positive attitude in light of the uncertainties that the future might hold for him.

In the difficulties, challenges and troubles we find ourselves in from time to time, there comes the opportunity to react with faith in a positive manner from a thankful heart, or to respond with complaining and a bad attitude because things aren't working out exactly the way we want them to.

Choose today to respond with a thankful heart and with thankful words for all the good in your life, for the family and friends you have been blessed with, and for a God who is faithful to His people, sometimes in ways they, unfortunately, cannot comprehend. I pray that today you will have a fresh perspective to carry with you wherever you go.

God Bless
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church