Taylor – May 2006
Sometimes a little change of perspective can make a big difference when dealing with a problem. I remember several years ago, when Taylor was around six years old.
One day, while looking in the mirror, Taylor discovered a small freckle on her forehead. Oh how she hated that freckle.
Each night when I kissed her good night I’d lean over, push her bangs to the side and kiss her forehead. Without delay she’d run her fingers through her bangs, making sure the freckle was covered.
Time and again I tried to convince her to stop fretting about that freckle, but she wouldn’t listen. Finally I’d had enough.
“Taylor,” I said one night, plopping onto the bed next to her, “what is the problem with that freckle?”
She crossed her little arms. “I just don’t like it.”
“Well, I like it.” I said, also crossing my arms. “In fact, sometimes I wonder if God may have put that freckle right there – just so I’d know exactly where to kiss you each night.”
Taylor uncrossed her arms as I continued.
“Now I don’t want you to complain about it anymore,” I said, “because I think it’s a very special freckle.”
Taylor touched her forehead and fought back a smile.
After that, Taylor’s attitude changed. Her problem didn’t go away, (she still had the freckle), but now she knew there was an important purpose for that freckle.
And she never complained about it again.
I can also recall times in my life when God used my problems for good. Sometimes He wanted to teach me a lesson. Or strengthen my faith. Other times I needed to change my attitude.
Even if a problem doesn’t go away, I can still choose to see it from God’s perspective. Instead of complaining, I’ll try to remember there is a purpose for every problem.
One day, while looking in the mirror, Taylor discovered a small freckle on her forehead. Oh how she hated that freckle.
Each night when I kissed her good night I’d lean over, push her bangs to the side and kiss her forehead. Without delay she’d run her fingers through her bangs, making sure the freckle was covered.
Time and again I tried to convince her to stop fretting about that freckle, but she wouldn’t listen. Finally I’d had enough.
“Taylor,” I said one night, plopping onto the bed next to her, “what is the problem with that freckle?”
She crossed her little arms. “I just don’t like it.”
“Well, I like it.” I said, also crossing my arms. “In fact, sometimes I wonder if God may have put that freckle right there – just so I’d know exactly where to kiss you each night.”
Taylor uncrossed her arms as I continued.
“Now I don’t want you to complain about it anymore,” I said, “because I think it’s a very special freckle.”
Taylor touched her forehead and fought back a smile.
After that, Taylor’s attitude changed. Her problem didn’t go away, (she still had the freckle), but now she knew there was an important purpose for that freckle.
And she never complained about it again.
I can also recall times in my life when God used my problems for good. Sometimes He wanted to teach me a lesson. Or strengthen my faith. Other times I needed to change my attitude.
Even if a problem doesn’t go away, I can still choose to see it from God’s perspective. Instead of complaining, I’ll try to remember there is a purpose for every problem.
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