A Different Perspective - Stepping Back From The Canvas

A Different Perspective - Stepping Back from the Canvas

ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1986, my life took an abrupt left-hand turn. All of my dreams for my young family and my hopeful teaching career came to a screeching halt at 6:20 p.m. on that seemingly normal fall day. By nightfall, I had my doubts that things would ever be good or right again. Nothing would be as I had dreamed—for any of us.

Now, over twenty years later, I can look back on that day and see that a wonderful story—my new life story—was actually just beginning. I can see, by stepping back from the canvas, that all things, even the very bad things, have worked together for good.

Have you recently faced a crisis that you feel you may not emerge from? Can you step back from your tragedy? Can you shine a different light on your situation? Are you far enough away from the event now that you can see—from standing back here—that while one dream didn’t come true, other, even more beautiful realities (that you had never allowed yourself to conceive of) have been gifted you?

No, I didn’t get to finish my degree and become a teacher. Instead, I embarked on a career in the technology industry that would eventually lead me to business ownership. No, I wasn’t able to hold my marriage and family together the way I had dreamed. Instead, a man would later enter my world and love me, and my children, in a way that I didn’t know was even possible.

Would I have believed this new life story was actually being birthed on that long-ago September day? No. Girlfriend, I was standing in the middle of the canvas, crying buckets—watching all my brushstrokes run together.

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

If you’re in the middle of a crisis, I know you can’t see clearly either. It’s hard when you’re smack-dab in the middle of it. But tomorrow you won’t be. You’ll be looking at your masterpiece from a new perspective and you’ll be absolutely amazed at your new life story and the difference a bit of distance can make. Hang on.