Thursday, November 12, 2009

Perspective......a gift you can give yourself!



I was over visiting the Nester's blog this morning, and her blog post today was about perspective--something I've been mulling over in my head for the last few weeks....a coincidence, perhaps? Nah, I don't think so. We get nudges all the time from the most unexpected places to remind us who we are, who we belong to, who we are called to be, and who we show others we are and/or portray ourselves to be......yea, especially that last one. In the blog world, it's easy to show the side of ourselves that looks good, looks crafty, chic, or crazy organized. It's easy to show the one decorated table or buffet that looks really good and have others assume the rest of my house looks just as good, or that the rest of my food is just as awesome as the one or two recipes I just shared. It's easy to show the good and pretty yet sweep the rest under the proverbial oriental rug. What's for real?????

In reality, I'm just a mom, a wife, a friend, a sister, a church goer, Bible believer, wanna be decorator.....just to name a few. I'm really not even a writer, nor a photographer, and there are days when I'm hardly even a cook. Sometimes I'm lazy and can spout great ideas, but not follow through with any of them. Somedays I forget to pray, yet I find myself promising to pray for many others. Somedays, I get discouraged and want to just run away. Does that make me any different than anyone else? You answer that.......I'm thinking it makes me just like you...and you, and you. Now, maybe you don't have a lazy bone in your body, and I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, but surely you get tired. So tired you just.can't.move. Sometimes I read blogs, books and magazines and wish my home were something that it isn't....something that looks like a magazine, when in reality PEOPLE LIVE HERE, and it will never look like a magazine. Then I remember how God has provided a place for us to live, be warm and full, and to offer in hospitality to others. Yep, then I remember that it's really not about us, NOT ABOUT ME.......ouch. OUCH......sometimes the stick of reality hurts. But in the same turn, it is refreshing. To realize I am so abundantly blessed is such a comfort. My perspective turns from pain to prosperity, knowing that if all the material things were stripped away, I have riches untold that are sure and will never go away. My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and will indeed provide for me what I need. It's just that need sometimes gets a little turned around in my head......yep, you know that feeling.

The reality is that the Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease; they are new every morning! Indeed, great is HIS faithfulness, no matter how wobbly and inconsistent mine may be. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that it doesn't depend on me...that His gift is just that....a gift. Were it dependent on me, I would lose out every stinking day. I would be just a few hairs short of what I need......

.......and so back to the perspective issue. I know what keeps me grounded. I know what makes me real.....I know I need daily reminders of "it's not about me"......because I so easily get side-tracked. I need a double dose of that before the holiday season kicks in.....to remind myself what truly is important. Whether I have a Christmas tree that looks like that one I drooled over may not be the most important issue. It may not be worth the energy it will take me to "OVER- deck" the halls if it means that something important doesn't get done. This may be a year that I need to decide it's okay to scale back a little if it means I have a little energy left over for the people in my life........ouch. So really what this means for me is a little more planning of what is reality for me this year, this season. A realization that my expectations may be too big is really a gift to myself. I can only do so much and to dwell on it and be sullen because I cannot do it all and have it all, truly hurts those around me. So perspective, while sometimes it reveals what may initially be disappointing, is in truth a gift we can give ourselves. It is helpful to remember we are human and have limits. It means, in my case, I have to be less idealistic and more realistic. But the cost of that gift is worth it to me and my family. And I also have to remember there are others with bigger battles to fight, who need me to come along side them and gird them up for the battle. That is worth a whole lot more than a lovely tree, my friends.
Perspective......it's what's real.

Also, be sure you check on Stellan updates here......awesome reports of what God is doing for that family!!!

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lordy, Suzanne, you are SO right! It is so easy to get CAUGHT UP, isn't it! Time to screw my head back on right, lol! Thank you for posting this!

Stacey said...

YOU are brilliant today, my friend! I think I will add this particular post to my favorites and read it several times over the next few weeks.

A few years ago I accepted that I am not Martha Stewart. I don't have a perfectly decorated home. I don't redecorate all the time. My tree doesn't have new decorations every year. We don't have pictures for every event. My house smells like dogs half the time. I repeat the same menu too often. I don't know the perfect gifts to get everyone and couldn't afford them all if I wanted to. I could go on and on.

The point is to love and be happy. To serve others and remember how lucky we are. It's too expensive for your soul, psyche, and budget to try to be everything perfect to everyone.

I want to enjoy the time with my sons and my husband. About that husband, he really gets the short end of the stick when it comes to attention..better work on that. :)

Thank you so much for your insight today. Everything you said is perfectly and completely true!

Amen.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Well-said!!! Your words fit exactly what I feel on many, many days!! :)

Love the Decor! said...

Amen!
You echo many of my thoughts too! I think the Lord is trying to tell us all something here.
I read another wonderful blog today that deals with a bit of this issue too here is the link hope you enjoy it and feel blessed today
http://praiseandcoffee.blogspot.com/2009/11/it-shoes-dont-fit-they-might-not-be.html

Tootsie said...

wow girl...you just wrote exactly what I was thinking about writing but haven't found the time to do. Your post is dead on the money and that is just the cold hard fact of life.
Thanks for such an inspiring post, and If you don't mind, I will be posting on this subject in the very near future.
Thanks again for the kick in the pants for so many of us.

karen said...

I think you are a writer . You just said it all.It is all so true.Thanks for reminding us. Good Job and keep up the good work.

Just a little something from Judy said...

Wow! Stacy was right! This is one of the very best posts that I have ever read. Honestly opening up your heart...sharing what you are thinking and possibly what many others are thinking in blogland, makes you more endearing to all of us. No matter who it is or what their blog is like, we all have our struggles, our heartaches, our times of feeling so tired we feel like we can't take one more step...
Thank you so much for this post! It spoke to my heart in a special way today.

Amanda said...

WOW! Amen girlfriend! I was just on Nesters blog and saw your comment there and thought-oh I havent been to her blog in a while so I jumped over-and I am so glad I did. what a beautiful post! I DAILY struggle with wanting my home "magazine" style -when like you said "people live here". Thanks for sharing your heart. God Bless you today!!

Darlene said...

Oh, Suzanne what a beautifully written post today!!!!!

Melanie said...

Yes, Suzanne. Our family's perspective has totally changed. My house is messy. I don't have the ingredients on hand for the soup I plan to make for dinner. I have pots in the sink that need to be washed. I am sleepy because Andrew wanted to sleep with us in our bed last night so I didn't sleep well. But he did. And that's more important to me than my sleep. Our family is together and, for the most part, we are well.
Thanks for being real and writing about it.
Love,
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Rondell said...

Hey girl, you should be a professional writer or something! This really inspirational.
Love, Rondell

Bee said...

Did God call you up and tell you I needed to hear that today? Because I surely did. Thank you.

Kathleen Grace said...

My first time here and I love this post! Yes, you are just like me. I could relate to all those things. I love to just keep it real but sometimes we get caught up in putting on a show don't we? Perspective is everthing. Thank you so much for this post!

Amelia said...

You hit the nail on the head for so many of us...we are not perfect and never will be...Our Lord is the only perfect one.

It is so much better to have a "home" with a lived in atmosphere than a "house" with nary a speck of dust anywhere. I want my home to be one where family and friends always feel welcome - but most of all "LOVED".

Have a wonderful weekend!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Amen, sister! I really agree with you! Thanks for sharing and reminding us all of real perspective! Linda

Sue said...

Beautiful post Suzanne! Just this morning, when I was setting up my little table in my library for Tablescape Thursday, I laughed out loud with no one around. I laughed because I was thinking fondly about how many others were tearing up their places to grab things to add to their tablescapes too.
I agree with everything you wrote here.
Amen Sister!
Hugs,
Sue

Beverly said...

It's the first time I have visited here, but I am so thankful I did. That is just what I needed to hear. You have a great way of expressing what I have been feeling. You can bet I will be back.

Domestic Designer said...

Beautiful and oh so true post. Thanks!

Lisa said...

Oh Sue! You articulated so well what we all are thinking and feeling. Thank you for a beautiful post.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I came over here from Poofing the pillows...and I'm so glad I did. I think you speak for most of us and give many a new way to look at things. I am very blessed and have a wonderful life and I give God credit for every good thing. Thank you for a beautiful post! God bless you.

Tracy said...

Thanks Suzanne! You are right on. Beautiful post!
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Wonder why your post spoke to so many of us today? We are all into this new blogging and fixing and showing and letting things go, at least that is what I hear when a post like yours comes up. I am addicted to blogging. I am just calling it like it is. I love to stay at home and paint and make things and neglect to get out and socialize with real people. You are all real people but the little corner we fix to put on the blog is a stage, and we all know the stage is not real. I love you all and want to be part of this world. So why do I feel so artificial?
QMM

Kristens Creations said...

What a wonderful post! I was just walking through my house thinking...if only all those sweet bloggers could see my closets, inside my drawers and the dog hair floating around here...lol. They would probably be a little shocked to say the least!! It's true that most of us do not show the "dirt". We like to show everything in order when in reality, It's not that way.

I am seriously going to try and keep things in perspective this holiday season. Sometimes it's a little harder for me since I decorate large houses for Christmas, it's easy to find myself wondering what it would be like to have what they have, but I need to be thankful for what God has given me! I am thankful for a wonderful family and home. Thanks for this post!! Kristen

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Are you sure you're not a writer? This was so well written and beautifully said. Thank you for the reminder that I too need to keep things in perspective. Great post. laurie

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Beautiful post today Suzanne. It is important to keep in perspective what is really important. Thanks for the reminder.

XOXO
Jen

Melissa Miller said...

This was a gorgeus post Suzanne. In every way and so are "you".

Thank you for writing from your heart. You truly touched me.

~Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

Morning Suzann! Stacey sent me over and glad she did! I believe that you must now add "you are a writer" to your self-description above!!! Very well said and totally true for I'll bet all bloggers!!! Cropping pictures is a wonderful thing but you can't "crop" the reality we all live!! Thanks for reminding us! Sincerely, Jeannette

Twice as Nice said...

I had to check twice to make sure I didn't write that post. So true for a lot of us. Have a great weekend and it's okay to read a book or be lazy! (I tell myself this a lot but still feel guilty)

Blue Creek Home said...

Great post. It makes you rethink some things.
Rhonda

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM my friend....Girl I just L♥ved your post today WOW!! you said all that I feel...real life people live in my home ha ha!! the only magazine I could make is Madd...Every time I get ready to take a picture for my blog I see a tennis shoes, mail on the counter etc. all the things that say people live here...I think thats why I love blogging as I can sit in my old red robe and just be me...Great read girl...May you have a blessed weekend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Designs on 47th Street said...

And you say you aren't a writer? Suzanne, this post was beautifully written. It does make us all think and truly laugh out loud about the posts we present. In the long run we are all just as you have written. I would venture to say most of us are just simple people and have much of the same thoughts as you so beautifully wrote. Love it! Love you!

Donna in an upside down house on 47th Street! :)

Sonia said...

What a wonderful post..thank you for your honesty...you are an inspiration to others! We are families and don't live in that perfect magazine world..thanks for keeping us grounded and reminding us what is really important! Sonia/Miss Bloomers

Sandy said...

This was such an encouragement! I will be having hand surgery Dec.3 & won't be able to do anything with my RIGHT hand for 2 weeks... I have done very little shopping, my DH does NOT do wrapping, & we will be gone for a week at Thanksgiving. But I have decided to "minimize" for Christmas this year, especially on the decorating, & it is a relief. I look forward to extra time with the Lord & less "hoopla" for the holidays. You have further inspired me!

Unknown said...

Suzanne, isn't it amazing how you have touched everyone with your well thought out - and heartfelt - post today? As I was reading it, this verse kept coming to mind: ".....all things work together for good for those who are called upon according to His purposes...". I think the Lord surely must've called upon you today to inspire and provoke thought in so many of us. To make us think seriously about what it is that is really important in life. To help us see past the pristine exteriors we cover ourselves with each day.

So many times when I'm posting, I'm in my baggy sweat pants, paint stained shirt, and fluffy house shoes, most often with no makeup and unkemp hair. But yet, when I post, I try my best to post the most beautiful pictures of the moment, and post about my work, and the things I make - all the while thinking "If they could see me now, they'd think there was no way I knew what I was talking about. It amazes me how many people I know associate/relate the way people perceive them solely by they way the look/dress/post/etc.
Are we not much deeper than that?

Under it all, we're still who we are. We're still human, we're still faulty, and yet we all still have beauty within us.

Thank you so very much - truly - for the reminder that there are many more things in life that rank far above pretty houses and tasty dinners.

Kim said...

Couldn't have said it any better. I came to this same conclusion myself recently and I have to say it was very liberating. I also did a similar post and got more comments on that post than any other. I guess we all kinda feel the same way. Thanks Suzanne!!!

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I struggle with these very same issues and it is wonderful to hear someone put into words, what I think, most people already think. I am personally working hard to face my imperfections, take off the mask and live authentically. Thank God that everyday we have a new start.

Stacey said...

Suzanne, this post of yours is becoming famous. :)

http://kimsdomesticbliss.blogspot.com/2009/11/can-i-get-amen.html

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

Wonderful post! One I really needed at this moment. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Perspective!! I did a fab little vignette in my kitchen yesterday- took pictures and it is so sweet but if only you could see what the rest of the kitchen looks like!!
I am praying that I will have the focus on Christ and not "Christmas" -its a heart's desire but find myself drawn away from the focus so many times. So I started my Christmas decorating with 3 pink Christmas balls and a teeny bottle brush tree- and I am happy and going to clean the other side of the kitchen now!!

blessings
mary

Laura said...

What an amazing post. You are so rigght, and I am so grateful someone else feels just like I do.

Thank you, thank you, thank you-

Laura

Jill said...

THANK YOU! Your words hit home and everything you wrote reflected many of us. THANK YOU!
Blessings ~ Jill @ Home Decor Blogspot Junkie

susan said...

What a thoughtful (as in full of thought :) post. I try to remember to ask God to help me get out of His way every morning. Thanks for the reminder.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Suzanne, I have been feeling so overwhelmed with all that I have to do and not being able to accomplish everything and this post was the perfect thing for me to read tonight. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post with us all!!! I am so trying to scale back and not feel like I have to try to be Martha Stewart all the time. Life is just too short and we must focus on the important things in life. I especially treasure the time I spend with my family. Love & blessings from NC!

Vickie said...

Good morning. I'm new here today, but wanted to say what a marvelous post you wrote and so timely for me. I always dread Christmas because I feel like I have to do everything, and it all doesn't get done, and then I feel inept and disappointed in myself. Your post made me realize that I need to sit down and think about the real needs, the real reason for Christmas and family, and what are the most important things that need to be done. We can do without a little fluff, but we can't do without each other and the time we spend together and thinking about the most wonderful Christmas gift of all - Jesus. Thanks so much!

Keelie said...

Excellent post! You ARE a writer. Love all the scripture sprinkled throughout--and the reminder that it's not about US. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Perfect, perfect words for today! Thanks for the wonderful post. I try to keep my perspective, most days I can, but some days the world just gets the best of me. Those days are when I circle the wagons, stay home in my little castle, and really think long and hard about all the goodness in my life.

Lana Kim White Austin said...

AMEN AND AMEN AND AMEN AGAIN!
Many blessings to you,
Lana

brandy said...

Thank you! I just read this post today and I needed it....TODAY! I have felt so discouraged lately, but now am feeling encouraged by someone I don't even know! You brought such truth and light to me today! Thanks for being REAL in a world that is so put on!