For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17
I scraped and scuffed...
I grazed and grinded...
I rubbed and rotated...
but I could not get the pebble off the bottom of my shoe.
It's amazing how a small object can affect great pain. It reminded me of Scott and my honeymooning days Italy. Rome is perfumed with romance, intrigue and wonder but you have to traverse ancient cobblestone roads to find it. Every day filled with discovery and passion ended with two pair of aching feet.
A few hours after my new found rock friend made a home in my foot, I realized no amount of stomping was going to dislodge him. He'd taken up permanent residence. Ready for a foot rub, I finally turned my shoe upside down. The funny thing is there was no rock in my shoe. The source of my discomfort turned out to be a jewel.
Sometimes life is like that.
The speaking opportunity passes to other lips.
My child doesn't make the team.
The healing doesn't come.
The battle I thought I'd won wages war with me again.
No matter how I scrape, scruff or grind, I can't change my circumstances but I can change my perspective. In God's hands all the little rocks that irritate my life are shined into jewels. As I inch my heart closer to His, He rubs me the right way.
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteOh so true! It is all about perspective isn't it.
Whining sure doesn't help, and it is so true that some of the things we think are so awful at the time turn out to be such blessing in disquise later on..........I have learned to try and claim that
Romans 8:28 verse asap. Cause I really do believe he works all things for good for those of us who love Him and are called according to his purposes.....
Hope all is well with you and yours, did you get moved into your new home yet??
Blessings, Nellie
Nellie, no we are still under construction but we've passed the halfway point so that's super exciting!
DeleteWhat a jewel of a blog, thank you Shannon. Sometimes the source of my discomfort turned out to be a jewel. Thats true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, sweet friend!
Deletethis change in perspective....why do i need reminders so often? great piece....
ReplyDeleteI smile whenever I read something you've written you know that? :)
DeleteLove this verse and love your perspective Shannon. You are a great encourager.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, thanks friend!
DeleteBeautiful. Just what I needed to read today. So often, those jewels are beautiful reminders of how the world can look very different if only we'd change our perspective. I know I have been guilty of falling victim to feeling sorry for myself during certain times and it only takes a shift in my thinking to stop micro-managing my circumstances and give it up to my God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful words of encouragement to anyone who visits here.
Wow I love this - "stop micro-managing my circumstances"
DeleteLovely story and a great reminder that even though life throws us some tough stuff, there is always hope that some good will come from it.
ReplyDeleteFor sure!
DeleteWhat a great reminder! So hard to always remember how much good trials can work!
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to read your nuggets of wisdom, Shannon. This will be the last thing I'm reading before I go to bed, and it leaves me with a smile on my face. :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful way to paint the picture of God's handy-work.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Thanx for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, sistah!
DeleteThank you for sharing this verse. It is amazing that Jesus can change our perspective on a situation and he can change our thinking.
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect. Your blog touches me every time I read it. Thank you.
ReplyDelete