Counting Spaces

George Douglas found himself out of work.  But unlike many who suffer this setback, he decided that his attitude during the challenge would not be dictated by his circumstances.  So he did a little experiment.   He kept a small notebook in his car... and on the first page of it, he drew two columns... one yes and one no.  Every time he pulled into a parking lot, if there was a space by the front door, he’d put a check in the yes column.   When the only spot was far away, the “no” column would receive the mark.   After seven years and thousands of parking lots... George made an interesting and unexpected discovery.  67% of the time, there was a spot up front.  

What’s the point?  Many times we go through life thinking that the worst will happen.  Things won’t turn out right... we’ll have to park far away... people are out to get us... We passively slip into pessimism without realizing it.    But the reality is... things are not as bad as we sometimes think they are.  God provides.  In fact, Romans 8 tells us that God works for the good of those who love Him.  From something as simple as a close parking space to something as significant as needs and blessings... He is there.  Find yourself wanting to see the glass half-empty?  Don’t.  Instead choose an attitude of gratitude and intentionally look for all the ways God takes care of you each day.  

The Flower

“If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”  Job 36:11

A little girl walking in a garden noticed a particularly beautiful flower. She admired its beauty and enjoyed its fragrance. “It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. As she gazed on it, her eyes followed the stem down to the soil in which it grew. “This flower is too pretty to be planted in such dirt!” she cried. So she pulled it up by its roots and ran to the water faucet to wash away the soil. It wasn’t long until the flower wilted and died.

When the gardener saw what the little girl had done, he exclaimed, “You have destroyed my finest plant!”

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t like it in that dirt,” she said. The gardener replied, “I chose that spot and mixed the soil because I knew that only there could it grow to be a beautiful flower.”

That flower battled insects, wind, and the occasional flood.  It resisted the worst that the world could throw at it... it persevered... and grew to be beautiful. Then it was picked.  It became separated from it’s source of strength and provision.  It stopped growing and eventually withered away.  Under God’s plan, that flower would have thrived and grown to live a very long life.

Separated from His plan... it shriveled.  

God could have had that flower come to the earth in a bouquet... never touching the soil... never having to overcome any obstacles.  

But He didn’t.

He knew that the flower would grow stronger and even more beautiful by braving it out in the ground.  It’s roots would grow deep... it’s very sustenance dependent on God’s rains and beautiful sunlight.   The flower needed to overcome the challenges to be what it was created to be.  

We are no different.

Whatever you face today... difficulties, distractions, disunity, or dishonor... decide now that you are going to face it with the right attitude.  Remember, our happiness is based 10% on our circumstances and 90% on how we deal with them.  

Ask yourself:  Am I content with what God’s allowed me to have?

Am I happy that I have a fresh day?  Or am I disappointed all the time that it’s not where the grass seems greener?

Am I looking at the world through God glasses?  Seeing each person, circumstance, and transition as opportunities and not obstacles?

Am I allowing the enemy to convince me that my happiness is based on my feelings and not the eternal love of my Savior?

Fact is, our attitude through adversity determines our ability to achieve happiness.  

Can we be happy when life tries to uproot us?  Yes. 

Why... because what we are going through is a season.  A brief time in a prayerfully long life filled with great successes and challenging knockdowns.  Each one of us experiencing peaks, valleys... and many periods of in-between.  The pain we feel has a purpose... the disappointment we find is for a reason... Why?  Because God wants to punish us?  

Far from it.   Sometimes it takes a flood to help us appreciate the sun (Son) more.  

You are beautiful... just like that flower... rooted in God with a purpose for your life.  Allow Him to help you stand strong against the darkness and rain of hardship, distress, and trial.  And when the sun comes back out... and the warmth of it’s glow hits you... you will shine against the azure sky like the masterpiece that you are.   

Take a few moments out today and thank God for what’s going on in your life... if it’s storming... thank Him for the roots He’s got under you holding you firmly.  Be content in the purpose of your circumstance and watch God reveal a better life than you could ever imagine.