BATTLES AND PERSPECTIVE
I pulled into the bloated parking lot looking to add one more vehicle; mine. I squeezed into an almost-too-small-to-fit-space right beside the commercial trash can. I had ten or fifteen minutes to kill sitting beside the massive and grungy receptacle. There was trash still lying around the from the last time the front loading forked truck had emptied the big square receptacle.
Dried food stains on what was once pristine wrapping flattened by tires has a very unappetizing look and smell early in the morning… The pavement just in front of the trash can, about the size of half a small car, was stained with shiny jet black oil that had spilled regularly over the years. The oil stains contrasted the old grayish white pavement everywhere else proving the might and battle victory of the sun.
The steel six-inch pipe columns filled with concrete just in front and to the sides of the block wall that surrounded the trash can were scarred and slightly bent… Though wounded, they had won the battles with the misjudged garbage truck drivers and the not-as-lucky-as-me-people that didn’t quite make it into the narrow space that I was sitting in or the one that flanked the other side.
The curbs were weathered with some rocks showing through the concrete surface in places where the water from the sprinklers had won their battle with the hard surface. They were cracked in places, displaced in places from tires driven a little too hard against them and over them.
I had my window cracked to take in the fresh winter air… not the best spot to take in fresh air… I left the window down… I’d smelled worse. I watched and listened to the birds flying, playing, whistling, and trash diving. Too bad they didn’t know how to pick up trash…
I gazed around and pondered the fallen world and how we all play into it. The sun was out… nothing wins the battle with it… I rolled down the window on the passenger side as I sat waiting. I reached down and moved the arm rest I’d been leaning my right elbow on and rotated it upward.
I rummaged through my cluttered console to find my dilapidated reading glasses that had taken the abuse inside my truck much like the way the curbs and walls had been punished by bigger things around the resting place of refuse for all the occupants. I held the old glasses up to the sun, shook my head in disbelief of how scratched they were.
I blew hard on the inside of the right lens then the left, held them back to the sun knowing it would be mostly in vain. I lowered the glasses down to my stomach area, reached for the hem of my old sweatshirt and engulfed the left lens with the old soft cotton and rubbed them between my thumb and forefinger – then the right lens.
I glanced at the sweat stains still circling my collar as I tried to clean the old spectacles. I held them up to the sunny sky again, not really sure why I still have that pair of almost useless glasses still hanging around. I took one more look around to see the imperfect world through the aging eyes with the contact lenses covering both retinas before slipping the old reading glasses toward my face.
I reached over to my companion yellow legal pad of paper, setting it like a sleeping child gently onto my lap. I grabbed my pen that has the coating worn off from the battle with my hand and began to write about the wonders of God all around me.
We just gotta open our eyes…
And perspective…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 2:41 am
Very true Floyd. There is so much of God’s wonders to see if we only open our eyes and change our perspective (mostly from a “me” to a “His.” As for the garbage can, I may have had to move first chance I had. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:33 am
Good point, Bill. It many of our problems could be avoided if we began to look away from ourselves first. I did move as soon as I could! Thanks, Bill.
Dan Erickson
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 4:43 am
Great point-of-view writing, Floyd. You’re right. Anything and everything is there for the writing. It’s all about perspective.
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:35 am
I’m with you, Dan. We take so much for granted. Sometimes the simple things are really the most gratifying. I’m trying to keep a watch on my perspective. Thanks, Dan.
tcavey
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 7:54 am
It’s always amazed me that two people can be looking at the same thing and yet see two completely different things occurring. Perspective accounts for so much.
Through the eyes of Christ we can see beauty where most can’t. His love is the perfect glasses to look through!
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:36 am
Our Father’s perspective is the one that provides peace and joy regardless of our circumstances. Great call, TC. Thanks.
Lincoln Parks
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 8:05 am
Yes, we do have to open our eyes because things are happening all around us and its what we choose to see and what we choose to ignore. Its amazing that we have to slow down in order to truly see what is around us. How many times have you been to that location and not noticed those things you had now? I know I have been someplace many times and it wasn’t until I was aware that I truly saw.
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:37 am
So true, Lincoln. I’d been there multiple times over the years and yet it was that day that God chose to make me see the beauty He had for me despite the fallenness around me. It is about His redemption and perspective. Excellent point, Lincoln. Thanks.
Jillie
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:02 am
You’re right, Floyd…It is all about perspective. It’s like looking into the glass of water–it’s either half-full…or half-empty. I’m sure you must know the cartoon character, Eeyore? Winnie-the-Pooh’s downhearted donkey friend? Well, I have an ‘Eeyore’ in my life. A cousin, whom I love dearly. She has a heart of gold and would do anything to help someone else…but she sees her own life as that half-empty glass. Doesn’t matter the day, the time, the circumstance. Her favourite saying is, “Life’s the pits, and then you die.” I have to ‘de-tox’ after every phone conversation. I’ve tried so many times, unsuccessfully, to lift her spirits, but it’s like she really likes being miserable. If only she could see all the beauty around her and the many ways her life has been blessed.
I much prefer your outlook—seeing beauty and creativity in what others might call mundane. Enjoyed this post!
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:42 am
Thanks, Jillie. It’s amazing that different people can see things in such a different way. I know people like your cousin too. They use their free will to choose to be unhappy. It is the amazing gift from God that allows us to choose our perspective about life. We all have tough times, but if we know that God either causes or allows all things, then we know we’re in perfect hands! What could be better than that?
Dan Black
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 11:19 am
So true brother. It can be difficult at times to open our eyes and look around but in doing so can really give us perspective.
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
I’m with you, Dan. It takes a heavenly perspective to be able to see the world and look past the fallenness and to the mighty hand of God that is guiding it back to perfection.
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 11:39 am
There is beauty all around us and joy even in the midst of what seems hopeless. So glad you see it, my friend! For as many reasons as this world would give us to despair, our God gives us a million reasons to praise and extol His name. Thank you, Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 5:32 pm
Well said, Jason. Our God is on the throne! Love your passion, brother!
Hazel Moon
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
So glad you could take “five” or 15 and view beauty around you. The birds were happy and enjoyed finding bits of something to fill their tummy. I have seen beautiful sculptures created by artists out of trash. Thank you for sharing your awesome story At “Tell Me a True Story.” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 7:03 am
That’s an excellent example of using the right perspective, huh? Our world given to us by God all about perspective I think. Thanks for sharing about the trash art and your wisdom, it’s always appreciated, Hazel. And thanks for letting me share it at your awesome sight, “Tell Me A True Story!”
Lynn Morrissey
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 9:06 pm
Well, Floyd, only you could make close-proximity to a dumpster sound appealing, and a place where you could learn a life lesson! And the birds didn’t think it was so bad. My theme for the year is vision, and I am asking God to open my eyes to see Him. I think of people who are forced to rummage through dumpsters because they are starving. What do we see when we see them? Do we see those who are made in God’s image, and what will we do? Bless you for always helping us to open our eyes!
Lynn
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 7:06 am
Thanks, Lynn. I pray God will give you the vision you desire. Although it seems to me if you see any better about this world, you’ll begin to see into the other dimension! Striving forward to what God desires is an admirable thing and encouraging. I think I’ll tag along!
Lynn Morrissey
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 2:11 pm
Floyd. you are such a wonderful cheerleader and encourager. Thank you! And while I so appreciate this high compliment, what you are saying really rings true (not of me, personally), but of what we must ask of the Lord……to be able to see with the eyes of our hearts. There is so much more to this life than meets the eye. I love the story about how the Lord opened the servant’s eyes to see all those horses and chariots. Oh! I hope Im getting this right! This will be embarrassing if I’m not, but I just dont have time to look it up. But I love Eph. 1:18 (NIV). I am asking the Lord to open the eyes of my heart–to give me heartsigt. Don’t you also love the quote by French author and pilot, Antoine de St. Exupery? “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” (That’s the gist. No time to look that up either!). My tea kettle is boiling, so I’m off to tea time. God bless you for the great work you do here on your corner of the blogosphere! Just quality and heartfelt and passionate for Jesus, all the way!
Lynn
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 5:18 pm
Thanks, Lynn. I hope you enjoy your tea! I hadn’t heard that quote by Antoine de St. Exupery, but it’s a great and true statement. I do remember God giving a glimpse to someone of the other dimension. I’ll have to look it up. I always like the donkey that spoke to his master… nothing original in Hollywood…
I so appreciate your sharing and comments, I always seem to learn so much. Thanks, Lynn, and thanks for sharing that heart…
Ngina Otiende
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 11:40 pm
I draw conclusions too quickly, judge too fast..am often slow to savor, slower to seek and cherish richer deeper perspectives. I hope that one of these days, after i grow up, i’ll be able to park by a trash bin in winter, roll down my window and write something as beautiful as this 🙂
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 7:07 am
You’re to kind and humble, Ngina! Your heart is in the right place and seeking the honorable things. I appreciate being in the same family as we strive toward the goals of our Father. Thanks, sister…
Mary McLeary
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 4:21 pm
You have a way with words! I could smell that trash bin. This world is a mess and it’s only through Him that our perspective can change and give us the peace He promises. Wonderful post!
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 5:24 pm
Thanks, Mary. Well said. It is only through Him. Left up to our own fallen flesh we would be wallowing in the trash. Peace from God knows no physical boundaries.
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 6:46 pm
All I can say this time, Floyd, is “Hmmm?” Gotta think about your perspective. You always have a good way of putting our world and the the God-world in sight/in light. Thanks. Just piled more thinking into me.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 9:36 pm
I guess we’re equal, Joanne! We make one another ponder… it’s a God thing… Thanks, sister.
Nancy
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 11:55 am
“When Peace like a river attends my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thous hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul”
When we trust God to keeps our hearts convinced that we are loved,
we SEE that it’s all relative. Relative to HIM that is.
Coming from a secure position in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus,
we are blessed to be able to enjoy the Creation on so many levels!
It is apparent that your soul is at peace and your joy is full! Thanks for sharing!
Floyd
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 5:14 pm
Thanks, Nancy. I love that song by Horatio Spafford. I did a post on it sometime ago. I’ve been buried so I don’t have anything prepared for tomorrow… Until now! We are blessed in so many ways. I consider you one of mine. God bless, Nancy.