PerSpectivE

      On New Years Eve Seth and I had just packed up the car after spending a few lovely days in Central Oregon, staying in a yurt at Tumalo State park, and were heading over to the coast for a New Years Eve party with some friends...until our Yukon broke down before we even left the campground.  Oh brother.  It was freezing cold, we had to wait almost an hour for the tow truck to come and tow us to our friend's house in Bend.  Seth got a part to fix it, but it didn't work so we borrowed a car and headed home (being way to late to go to the coast.)  I woke up in the morning with a crazy head cold and severe headache, and Seth had to go back to Bend to get our car.  What a way to start the year!  My mom came down for the day to help out and I was hoping to be better the next day so I could attend a family gathering, but to no avail.  Seth took the kids and I stayed home in bed.  The next day we got the diagnosis for my car and it wasn't good, the engine was toast.  By this time I was feeling physically and emotionally spent, but the Lord had already begun to change the way I saw the situation.  Instead of seeing it from a negative perspective, I had begun to look at it in a new light:
    Seth and I were in Bend with a Yukon that had 209,000 miles on it when it broke down.  Two minutes later and we would have been on the highway headed over two different mountain passes with very little cell service and very icy roads.  Not where you want to be with a car loaded with kiddos and dropping temps.  Also, our road side assistance only covered towing up to a certain distance and we probably would have had to pay more to get it towed.  Instead we got to go back to our friends cozy warm house (the tow truck just happened to be big enough to fit all five of us) and borrow our friends Tahoe (big enough for our whole family) so we could get home.  Then my mom happened to be available (and willing) to help watch the kids when I got sick.  The next day when I was still sick and had to miss the family gathering I had the most relaxing, enjoyable time resting in my quiet cozy house.  It was wonderful, even though I was sick.  Also, my in-laws had been lending Seth their Suburban before he got his truck, but we were going to return it a few days earlier since he'd gotten his truck already, but we never got around to it.  My in-laws were generous enough to let us continue to use it until my vehicle could get fixed.   One week later my Yukon had an engine with only 115,000 miles on it and was ready to go.  Throughout this whole experience I have been continually reminded of God's faithfulness in our lives.  Perspective.  Our point of view, and how changing it can change everything.  That is what this has taught me, and to make sure I was paying attention, one day before I got my Yukon back Seth's Truck (a 2008 Dodge Ram which he had for less than two weeks) had the transfer case literally fall OUT while driving along, ruining the tranny in the process.  I have to admit, this knocked the wind out of me.  What is going ON?!? I wondered.  This repair was not going to be cheap (yes, mine was quite cheap in comparison) this one was closer to $6500.  Ouch. But once again God showed his faithfulness and we were able to borrow the money to get it fixed.  We owed too much on it not to.  This time I was looking for all the ways he was providing for us, and I began to see them right away.  My car got fixed the next day and we still had my in-laws suburban.  More than that though, this has made Seth and I question where we are putting our time, money, and energy.  It has made us really stop and ask "Okay Lord, what are you saying to us and how do we need to respond?"  It has prompted Seth and I to both make some habit changes (getting up earlier, working out together everyday, and stop eating refined sugar for a year.)  I feel like Seth and I have connected in a way we haven't in a long time.  We are starting to pray together more and trying to spend more focused time with each of our kids.  I admit I do hope our string of expensive surprises is over for a while, but when things come up (and they will) I will try to look at all the ways (big and little) that God is working in my life.   I feel very blessed.  If you feel overwhelmed and stressed out I would challenge you to ask the Lord to change your perspective and see all the ways he is providing for you.  Look and see what the Lord has done!