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Listen while you read: "Shall We Gather At The River"1
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Isaiah 55:8 – "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (NIV)
My granddaughters were off school, which meant that they were in my care. As I had much to do, I asked them to find something to do quietly while I finished my chores.
As I went about cleaning and vacuuming, I was pleased to see that they were working together at the kitchen table. It wasn't until I wandered back into the kitchen, however, that I realized what they had been doing. They had gone downstairs to their craft room and come back up with the box that housed their glue and glitter. Glitter was now everywhere. Glitter drives me to distraction, since it hangs around for days and weeks. Every time when I think that I have finally vacuumed up the last of it, a beam of light reveals more sparkling glitter.
The girls have been told numerous times that they are not to use the glitter when they are unsupervised. Four- and six-year-old girls, especially, have this penchant for disregarding this instruction when it comes to glitter. I was therefore feeling quite cross with them, even though I didn't want to be cross with them. At the time, all I could see was glitter, glitter, everywhere, and the clean-up that would be required. Both girls were sent to their rooms to consider their behaviour.
In the meantime, as I went about trying to clean up the mess, I also went about praying and asking God how best to deal with things. As I was working around and praying, God gave me a new perspective on the situation. He reminded me that though the glitter would definitely be displaying itself here, there, and everywhere for quite some time to come, if every time I saw it twinkling away, I thought about all the glittering fun and joy that the girls have brought into my life, I could view this predicament in a positive, rather than a negative light. Of course, He was right. I just needed to stop looking at the situation through my flawed human sight and begin seeing it through the perfection of His.
This story of the girls and the glitter is just an extremely small blip in regard to many of the things that can go awry in our lives. The lesson of learning to see things through God's eyes rather than through our own, however, is one that is able to serve us well in whatever situation that we may be experiencing. The perfection and glitter of God's perspective, instead of our own, has the power to change a negative into a positive.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You see things perfectly, and that when we are open to Your Spirit, You are able to give us a glimpse of that perfection as well. In Christ's name, we thank You. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Amen, Lynne. I, too, despise glitter.
Lynne,
I am smiling.
A great way to look at things that upset us, Lynne. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you for sharing your good words from our God. Needed your words today.
Children, grandchildren are work – but now in my old age, what a blessing as they care for me.
What a wonderful story!
“Drives me to distraction” LOL!
Thank you for brightening my day.
Reminds me of some of the messes at church in Sunday school or after kids club. You’re fortunate they didn’t decide to redecorate with glitter…let’s paint a picture on the wall…grandma will love it.
Thank you for sharing this somewhat angst filled event and the subsequent devotional that God has used to bless us! God does have a way of bringing something good from the messes in our lives! Blessings.
Hi Lynne,
Now that is a wonderful change of perspective, seeing things through God’s eyes. A good lesson to remember and practise.
Thanks again.
Morning Lynne, a great read as always. And a little giggle to go along with it. As a Sunday School teacher; when ‘glitter’ is used for a craft; I too loose my sense of fun. Thanks for the new perspective. I’ll think of this every time now; as I love these children… but coordinated, they are not.
Good morning, Lynne,
Wow, is this the truth for sure!! I find things look so much better when I ask Him to help me to see with His eyes!!
Have a beautiful and blessed weekend.
Many Thanks, Lynne, for another of your very special devotionals. You always do a great interweaving of a common happening in our lives with the special way God sees it and through His spirit helps us through it.
Blessings as you continue preparing writings and keep enjoying the pleasure of having your granddaughters there with you.
Thank you for today’s sparkling devotion. Trying to turn negatives into positives always improves the situation!
Regarding glitter, I discovered glitter glue when I was caring for my young grandchildren. It is much easier to control, and far less glitter everywhere. There is also a product called glitter paper which is construction paper that is coated in glitter on one side, yet easily cuts to whatever shape required, just like regular construction paper. Hope the suggestions might help!
Thank you, Lynne, for the ‘glitter’ lesson. Point taken! As always, I learn pearls of wisdom from your devotions. However, this week when my 6-year-old great-grandson is in my care, I shall not be introducing any glitter for our craft time. Paint by number, story time, and book making are on the list of things to do. I look forward to time spent with our little people.
Thanks and Blessings!
(ON)
Dear Lynne,
Having 2 lovely granddaughters who spent many times here on “grandma’s day” I can relate to your story.
Now they are women, married, and busy with their lives. I cherish the sweet memories of those exhausting messy times and they are a source of thankful outpourings to God. We are God’s loved children, and he is patient with us but lets us know when we have done something against his best for us. Thanks for the reminder!
Good morning Lynne,
Isn’t it wonderful how God helps us to change our outlook when we seek Him. I love this passage and use it often when I can’t understand what is going on in His world or in my little space. It offers me comfort that all is part of God’s larger plan for His world. It is amazing that almost all the time we can reframe the picture to be more positive and our outlook changes. I actually don’t mind the glitter when it sparkles at me – can come from cards, from wrapping paper and earlier from granddaughter and children. It does remind me of how much pleasure I get from those things.
Thanks for sharing on how God helped you to enjoy your granddaughters. Blessings.
Thank you Lynne! God is good!!