View

On the good days we rejoice. On the bad days, we need perspective. Maybe a different view.

I’m 10 years old and I lay on our front lawn looking up at the sky. Tall fir trees surround the houses on our cul-de-sac. On the other side of these trees, sea cliffs cascade down to the Puget Sound narrows into rocky beaches. The sun warms my face, the blue sky radiates peace and my back feels damp against the still-saturated ground from a winter of rain. The tree tops visible as I look up at open blue sky.

High in one of those douglas firs lives a bald eagle, a bragging rite for our northwest neighborhood.

I breath in deeply and smell the salty sea air saturating my senses and I wait.

Finally, he opens his majestic wings and circles the open space above me. His flight seems effortless as his wings catch the air beneath him. He floats on the air, looking down over this territory he claims.

His view seems like that of the heavens.

And some days we just need to get that view that sees beyond what’s just in front or just behind. Like those days when milk spills for the fourth time and strawberries get smushed into the white carpet and and one kid sucker punches the other. Or the days when that ministry just seems so small and your dreams so out of reach. Or when the diagnosis seems hopeless, or the relationship crumbling or the circumstance impossible.

Heaven’s perspective sees beyond today.

We need grace to come and lift us out of our circumstance to get a fresh perspective, maybe see some things from His view.

When we feel weary like we can’t make it one more moment in this circumstance, grace comes. He strengthens. When we’re empty, He fills.

Like an eagle who rides the stream without effort, we lean into grace and He soars us above our circumstance to rest in His presence. Grace catches us like the wind catches under the wings of eagles and propels us forward. Wings open, heart free, we rest. This view we see now settles us.

Those circumstances that seemed daunting become faith infused.

He breathes grace.

This view renews hope.

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. -Psalm 40:31 MSG

Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog.

So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.

Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..