Skip to main content

Perception

I've had a note on my desk all week that simply said "violence" on it.  And all week it stared back at me with few words that I could find to speak.  

 Condolences have been shared, horror expressed, anger flowed, sorrow deeply felt...nothing can adequately sum up the tragedy that has taken place in Las Vegas or any other tragedy that has taken place over the last number of years.  Whether by guns or bombings, this nation and others have experienced great loss at the hands of evil.  We can cite Bible verse after Bible verse, we can call for gun control and mental health screening, we can close borders, we can open borders, we can cite radical extremism or racism.  There is a lot of blame to spread around.

 But, after processing all I've seen this week, I come back to one brief story I read.

 A gentleman was staying in the Mandalay Bay Resort on the 30th floor, I believe, just two floors below where the shooter would eventually carry out the evil in his heart.  This man stated that he had planned on returning home that Sunday, but awoke to such a beautiful view of the concert venue and sunshine that morning that he changed his mind and chose to stay one more day.

 He said what struck him what that BOTH he and the shooter had the same view out their windows, but each saw it completely differently.

 To me, that is the heart of the matter.  Perception.  What lenses are we viewing the world through?  The shooter's mindset will be greatly debated for years to come, but one thing is clear: he chose evil.  And evil chose him.

 I tell my nephew's all the time when they say, "He makes me so mad", that they are choosing to be mad.  No one gets to dictate our responses, but us.  This man chose evil.  The other man chose to see beauty.

 What will I choose?  Will I choose to see the beauty, the love, the kindness, the joy?  Or will I dwell on the evil, the hate, the bitterness, the pain?

 I choose joy.

 I choose to see the beauty in the ashes.

 I choose to see the healing power of my Savior.

 I choose to love even the unlovable to the best of my ability.

 I choose to ask forgiveness when I falter.

 I choose to stand up and fight for those that are defeated, beaten down or simply have lost their voice.

 I choose Christ.

 I choose love. ❤



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How great He is!

Today I had the rare opportunity to witness the sun rise AND set!  It was definitely a full day that started with taking my parents to the airport in Milwaukee, Logan's football game, lunch to celebrate my sister's and my birthday, errands, church, then grabbing the boys dinner! Phew!  But I was struck by the Lord's beauty, mastery and His ability to make the great expanse that is the sky and create something so stunning!  Then, at church tonight we sang How Great Thou Art! and I could find nothing more fitting!  I need write no more on this subject because Pastor Carl Boberg already said it so beautifully! Oh Lord my God When I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout The universe displayed Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee How great thou art How great thou art Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee How great Thou art How great Thou art And when I t...
Post a Comment
Read more
What are you dreaming about?  Wishing for?  Waiting for? Just those questions alone can bring more to mind than your heart was ready to process.  I know it's true for me.  I haven't blogged for three years.  Want to know what one of my dreams is?  Writing!  Ironic, huh? In this past month I've switched some things up with positive results.  I used to wait to spend time with God at the very end of my day and that came with varying results.  Either I'd be so exhausted that I'd only muster enough to open up the Bible app on my phone and settle for just a nugget of God's truths that day.  Sometimes I'd get my Bible opened then be sidetracked by a nephew getting ready for bed or a whiny dog.  Sometimes, I'd forget altogether.  None of this made for a strong me. When the kids started back to school this year, I decided to make a change for myself. Instead of getting up at the same time as always, I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. al...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bummer of a Day.....

I'm having one of those days where I feel like everyone's elses prayers are being answered, except for mine.  Ever have those days?  Yep, it's one of the woe-is-me moments that I'm not necessarily proud of, but am resigned to having every now and then.  I have actually witnessed many answers to prayers recently of people that I have been praying for....but, as for those people closest to me and me, myself....not seeing much. Put down the phone.  No need to call me and tell me that this is normal or that I'm being silly or that God loves me and hasn't forgotten me or that it's just Satan rearing his ugly head.  I know all of those things.  I'm just tired and weary today.  That's all. I am taking solice, though, in Psalms 147 on this bummer of a day.  (I 'm posting it below if you could use a little comfort, too.) One of the verses that stands out to me is vs. 13, "He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the people within you....
1 comment
Read more