I guess I say that often, perspective. Hmmm. How you view things, how you handle stress & the issues of life...it's all about perspective right? Well if that is the case, then why am I ever stressed? Why do I allow myself to get frazzled? I just got a true dose of "perspective" and I would like to share it with anyone that will listen!
A friend of ours passed away last week, it was very sudden, he was only 58. I did not know him, however my husband did, and really respected this man. The funeral was to be held over 3 hours away from where we live, which meant that we would have to stay the night. Poor me, I had so many things to do (please note sarcasm) that I did not want to go. Not out of dis-respect, but out of the fact that I have a toddler and see no real point for me to be there, being that she is not going to sit through a funeral. Not too mention it happened to be a super busy week, out of the ordinary. BUT, after I thought long and hard about my selfishness, I went. And I am glad I did.
I had met this man & his wife one time, and they were very sweet. My husband knows the family well, as he has worked with them often. He was a Pastor, a husband, a brother, a dad...and a friend. There were well over 1000 people there to honor this man. My heart was touched immediately as the funeral began, and during some music we were singing to the Lord, the wife lifted her hand heavenward, as if to say "it's you & me Lord, we are gonna get through this." She proceeded to officiate the entire funeral. What a woman. Truly.
We get to the grave site and I just had such an overwhelming sense of sorrow for this woman. I know she has hope that she will see him again, and I know she is trusting in the Lord like never before, but that still does not ease the pain of the "todays." I could not help to be overcome with emotion. As I watched her say goodbye to her husband of 35 years, suddenly I forgot about any "stress" in my own life. Nothing else matters. I still have my husband and daughter. We are healthy. We are blessed. Nothing else matters.
As we drove from the funeral, and since I have been home, all the other "stuff" seems so trivial to me. Yes, I still had the same tasks hanging over my head, the same obligations to adhere to...though all of a sudden, there was no stress attached to them. The usual Jen would be running around in a panic trying to get everything done but nope, not this time. The Lord used that funeral to show me something about myself. As shocking as it may be, it's not all about me! I guess, at the end of the day, it really is all about perspective.
3 comments:
Very well said. I am sure that you will never regret having gone to the funeral. You may possibly have regretted not going even if just to be there for your dh.
That is a perspective I try to keep at the front of my mind, always. All that matters in this world is the people you love and their well-being. If everyone felt that way, we'd all be good b/c someone would love us so much they'd put our needs first. I've been beyond blessed to have someone like that in life.
"If everyone would love us so much we'd all be good b/c someone would love us so much they'd put our needs first."
I LOVE THAT!!!
HI Jen,
I love this post, so brilliantly written!.
i'm so glad that you shared your experience with us, i myself have learnt a good lesson by reading your post.
Post a Comment