Perspective

I had another topic in mind for today. Then I read this and everything changed.

For the past week or so, Husband and I have been very focused on one thing – the fact that his job is about to end. (Ironic given the intro to Maggie’s post, isn’t it.) To say we are concerned would be an understatement. The economy is well – enough! Unless you are living in a hole, you do not need to be told any more crap about the economy.

In the past week, I’ve contemplated quite a few things. I’ve tried to take stock in what is important and what is not. But, folks, I’m human and I’m just not very good at downsizing.

I’ve looked at everything – here are some of the unedited conversations from my head.

1. We need to take back some of the Christmas presents. [Immediately followed by] Wait! If folks stop spending, this economy is going to get worse.
2. I’m going to have to give up my blog when it’s time to renew.
3. Thank goodness Facebook is free! [Immediaetly followed by] But … what if we have to lose our web access. [Followed by a very deep breath.]
4. Do we need to pull the kids out of school?
5. OK … if we just ______ then we can ______ or _______. Will this work? There are others who have less, we can do this.

OK … have I mentioned that I can be more than a little dramatic in times of stress? But, trust me, when this big a change is about to happen, everything seems immediate.

Look, bottom line is that we are going to have to gain a little perspective or we are going to be beaten by fear. The mind is a very powerful thing and we have to win the mental game. Well, at least I do. Mental momentum is the key to my sanity.

I’ve been gaining ground on this. I know that we are blessed. I made a mental list of every way that we have been blessed. The list started with the fact that we are alive, healthy, and together. It’s that simple. It can be that simple.

As I read Maggie’s post, tears streamed down my face. Her eloquent writing described exactly what that family is likley to do when they think about this day. One event changed everything. In that post, perspective found me and gave me a real quick slap just to be sure that I was paying attention.

I’m lucky. I believe that God will take care of my little family and all of the families who are struggling. He may not do it in the obvious way. He has his own ways and his own time and He is right. I may not understand why. I may not see (especially if I’m not paying attention). But, He will take care. He always has.

I will lose perspective again. I am human. I imagine that this loss and gain is part of the plan - part of growing, part of faith.

I will mark time with Maggie and her other readers … for the family in her post and for others whose lives are at a crossroads. Maggie wrote it as a prayer and, I think it is … a prayer for perspective.

Note from Jen:

As I prepare to post this, I am reading through your eyes. Some of you know me personally. Some of you don’t. So, I think it’s important for me to let you know that it is not my intention to exploit the tragic accident Maggie mentions in her post. It is not my intention to presume to know how they are feeling, what they are going through, or their belief system. Nor was it my intention to take that tragedy and make it all about me.

What Maggie wrote hit me like a ton of bricks – it helped me look at things (tough things) happening in my life in a new light. It did what good writing does - even if the author isn’t trying. It made me think, feel, react, and act. I felt strongly enough about what I discovered to write about it here.

If I offend, please accept my apologies.