“A Matter of Perspective”
April 8, 2009
Scripture: I Timothy 6:6-8
Some of my cows got out last week and decided to go visit a neighbor. It had snowed and was packed into the cattle guard allowing them to walk across and go venturing out. This was one of the rare times when no one was around in the middle of the day. Normally they would have been rounded up quickly, but this time they had a couple of hours to get into trouble.
When I returned, I immediately saw that about 10 were out and I took off to get them. Fortunately, the ground was not muddy and I knew that they would do little damage. But then I noticed that the neighbor’s front door was open. Not a surprise. It doesn’t latch well and I have run down there many times in the middle of the day when he was gone and shut it for him. As I was racing down on the 4 wheeler, I kept thinking “surely the cows only pushed the door open, they certainly didn’t go in”.
However, as I peered in the door, I realized that at least cow had indeed ventured inside. Unfortunately, she just didn’t venture inside. She had to leave evidence of her visit. To make matters worse, the evidence couldn’t be deposited on the hardwood or tile, it had to be left on the carpet, then stepped in and tracked through the house on the way out.
Needless to say, my temperature went from normal to past boiling in milliseconds. I don’t remember what I said, but I’m sure that it didn’t glorify God. That’s when I had one of those God moments. He very clearly said “Gary, get over it. There are 3 billion people on this planet who would gladly trade places with you “. Then I thought about the countless people who don’t have enough food or adequate clothing and shelter. Those living in war zones, those who would encounter death, severe illness, marital problems and family issues etc. And here I was complaining about my “big” problem of having to clean up some organic matter.
I was then reminded of a line from a favorite poem: “Lord forgive me when I whine, I have so much the world is mine.” I cleaned up the mess and the neighbor was very understanding. After my jolt of perspective, I was laughing about it. When considering the “BIG” picture, my “big” problem was rather inconsequential.
Maybe the “BIG” question is to you the reader: “What would your reaction be if a neighbor’s cow made a deposit in your house?”
Prayer: “Lord forgive me when I whine, I have so much the world is mine.” Anonymous
Gary Monroe
