Choosing to Cherish: Perspective: Patient & Gentleness Series #6

Friday, February 28, 2014

I wrote about lesson on perspective before but I think it is worth to write about it again.

I love listening to wise older women because they often remind me to have the right perspective. For instance, a dear friend, a single mom of three grown up boys wrote, "My boys are taller than me now. Dear parent of little ones, don't be a grumpy parent like I was. They get big fast. Enjoy, cherish, be present, and savor each sweet silly moment with them."

Bobo, my 74 years old local mom joined our church short mission trip to a rural area in Indonesia last summer. The road to reach the place was bumpy and hard. One time they even had to rent a tractor to clear the road:

Photo credit: Cendra Harsojo

and ride on the back of a pick up

to get through a flood,

then ride on a simple wood pallet boat

to reach the people in the village:

No body asked her to go and the team was even worried if she could she handle the rough trip. There was a time when they have to hike a slippery hill in order to reach the church on the top of the hill. She stayed behind while the rest of the team hike.

While waiting she kept thinking, "What if I can do it? I don't want regret for not trying. So she took off her sandal and started hiking the muddy and steep path. She saw a local man and asked him to help her climb until she reached the top and caught up with the rest of the team. People cheered when she saw her arrived. She was such an encouragement and inspiration.

Moral of the story: our perspective often determines our action.

The reason why I am sharing this is because there were times when I would blame my genes, circumstances, or other people instead of taking responsibility for my emotion and reaction.

Bobo' story reminded me that life is hard at times but I can chose to be angry, bitter, and grumpy or be hopeful, grateful, and graceful. After all "God's divine power has given me everything I need for a godly life." 2 Peter 1:3-8.