The Summer of Perspective

Cue a big sigh from me right now! We are finally back after two weeks of conferencing and vacationing. While it's been a lot of fun, I am really glad to be home, especially in my own bed! It has been an incredible Summer and although it's not quite over yet, it is getting close. We are starting to get ready for school to start and the Fall routine to set in. It's exciting. And it has caused me to take a close look at what God has accomplished this Summer compared to last Summer in my life.

Perspective: the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it. God has given me perspective, the proper and accurate point of view and the ability to see what He has done this year and just within these last 3 months.

Last Summer, this time, I had just gotten off of the ms medications and I was also weaning off of the benzo drug that I am still currently on. To say the least, I was going through physical hell. I wrote many blogs during that time, but the one that stands out to me is " Having done all to stand...Stand". It's the one about Lot's wife looking back on Sodom and Gomorrah and turning into a pillar of salt. She disobeyed God and therefore suffered the consequences. We believe that on August 1st God healed me of ms. And since then, we have been tempted to look back but instead we have stayed obedient to God's Word and we have not looked back.

Now here we are a year from that moment and I am happy to say that we have not turned into pillars of salt! Does that mean my body is completely cooperating or that we still don't have some major mountains that need to be removed? NO! But perspective is a great thing. What makes us as God's kids stand out in the storms is the fact that we keep the proper or accurate point of view of the situation. The only way we can do that is by seeing things the way God sees them and the only way we can do that is to know Him and the only way we can do that is to stay in the Word, constantly!!!

This Summer, not only have I been out of bed, but I have been working out almost every single day, I have spent the entire Summer in the pool with my boys, helped my best friend move back to California, driven where ever I have needed to go, planned a beach getaway for my sister's birthday, been to a week long conference and a week long vacation afterward. I did all the going, the packing, the shopping, you name it! I have been able to be a person, a wife, a mom, a sister, a daughter and a friend. Last Summer, I was a limp noodle in a bed, just trying to survive.

A few living and active promises that I confess everyday that really stand out are the following:

Isaiah 40:31, " Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Jeremiah 33:6, " Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth."

Isaiah 41:10, " Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Proverbs 9:10-11, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning  of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you."

No explanation needed. These scriptures speak for themselves. They have been living and active promises and weapons in my life this Summer. I have not lost sight of God's perspective vs mine. If I do I will surely become a pillar of salt.

As we keep moving forward, I know that God's promises WILL NOT FAIL ME. The mountains that need to be removed, will be. The symptoms that need to go away, will go away. Perspective...it's a powerful thing when you take on God's and not your own.