Perceptions #200008

A NEW POINT OF VIEW!

by Jerry Hodge

I heard a story about a couple that had been married 50 years. Finally one Valentine's day the husband spoke tenderly to his wife, "Honey, I remember the first time we met. I was in the hospital and your were my nurse. You took care of me and restored my health. I remember our honeymoon when we forgot the suntan lotion and I received a second-degree burn on half my body - the first day! You patiently stayed the whole time with me in the hotel room. I remember the time our son was born. Without insurance we both had to get a second job to pay the bills. As our children grew you were always there. The time Cindy fell out of the tree and had to go to the hospital. The time Ricky wrecked my car and lost his baseball scholarship. The time Mary was left at the church crying when her fiancé did not show. You were always there. And even now, I have arthritis, poor eyesight, and stomach problems and you are still by side. Honey, you are bad luck!"

Isn't it funny how we miss so many blessings by looking from the wrong perspective. Preachers as they go to an new church - see all the positives, and as they leave their focus is only on the negative. That is why Paul reminds us, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

And we have a lot to think about!

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