Life and Perspective

To say that life has been challenging over the past few years would be an understatement.  It seems that every turn we have made there is something there to set us back.

I don’t say that to imply that there haven’t been good times or that we have it bad, because that is far from the truth.  No matter what obstacles we face we are quickly reminded that there is someone that has greater obstacles.  However, the struggles are always more grand in scale than the successes.   And that becomes hard to face on a daily basis.  Kind of like “what’s next?”.

But last night I realized something.  I realized that maybe all the bad things that I thought were bad really weren’t.  And that for every 10 things that I thought were bad, maybe only a handful are truly “bad”. 

I think that we have been hit upside the head with one thing after another that our perspective has become skewed.  Somewhere along the way I lost confidence in myself and that has lead to this assumption that everything is “bad”.

Last night we met with some friends of ours that are working to start a church in New York.  And as they are laying out their vision for the church and their future for their family, Heather and I were both struck by the passion that they have for this.

The reality of it is that churches in New York do not succeed.  There is a list of reasons a mile long.  Space, time, money, effort…the list goes on and on.

But this is when I realized MY perspective was off, not theirs…

Them:  48 people visited our website to get information on our Bible Study!!

Me:  Why did only 48 people visit my website?

Them:  We had someone from Russia check out our site!!!

Me:  Why is someone from Russia even reading my blog?

Them:  We sold a “brochure” to help us out and in turn there was a company that provided clean water to 29 people for an entire year!!!

Me:  Just 29?  There are 29 people at Starbucks…in the drive thru.

You get the picture?

But this is what astounded me the most…at the beginning of every month; they only have enough money that just 70% of their bills are paid.  Think about that… on the first of every month they have NO IDEA how 30% of their bills will be paid.

This isn’t just a husband and wife. “winging it” through life like in the 60’s.  They have an amazing daughter and another son/daughter on the way.  This is a family.

I look at Team Peery and in the 10 years of our marriage we can count on one hand how many months this was an issue for us.  And they are going through life monthly wondering where the other 30% will come from.

I am pretty sure you are thinking “that must suck” or looking down on them with pity.  But here is the thing…they were EXCITED that 70% of their bills were paid.

There are 33 “individuals” and 5 churches that help them along the way, as well as an organization that “matches” donations to them.  How cool is that?

Again, my perspective was way off!

Them:  We have 33 “individuals” and 5 churches that help us along the way, as well as an organization that “matches” donations made to us!! 

Me:  Only 33?

That is when it hit me. Yeah, life has been tough.  It has dealt us some crappy cards here lately.  Not going to lie. 

But here is a family that moved from Dallas/Fort Worth to Annapolis, Maryland to work towards starting a church in Manhattan where just 3% of the 1.7 MILLION people are Christians. 

They are excited about reaching 48 people.  They are excited about reaching someone from Russia.  They are excited about 29 people having clean water for a year.  And they are excited that 70% of their bills are paid.

Would they like to reach a thousand people in a thousand countries?  You bet!  Have 100% of their bills paid and provide clean water to a thousand people for a thousand years?  Of course!  It is all about perspective. 

Heather and I learned a lot last night.  And I can promise you that our friends had no intention of teaching us what they did.  Until they read this, they really have no idea.  But “thanks” for helping us!

In closing, I would ask that you check out their sites and keep them in your thoughts and prayers on their journey.

Eikon New York

Echoes Of Redemption

And in the mean time, since we all need a reminder now and then, here is our perspective: