WELCOME SPRING!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

~Change in Perspective~

It's Spiritual Sunday, brought to us by Charlotte and Ginger at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/. Thank you so much, both of you, for giving us this opportunity to share our hearts with one another. Please click on the blue sky to the right to visit the other participants of Spiritual Sunday.

I was thinking all day about what I would contribute for Spiritual Sunday, and then I received this today from a friend in an email:


Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room’s only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”


Remember: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.


In the world we're living in, there is alot to be concerned about, and on the top of that list are concerns that our nation remain free and safe. I ask myself, "What can I do? Who can I call? Will God intervene, or have we strayed so far from Him, that we have invited His judgement?" I don't know the answer to that, but I know there are people that would like to put a brick wall in front of my window, blocking my view of the beautiful world God created, and attempting to make me think and feel that I am wrong for wanting to have freedom to choose how I will live. I will not allow my spirit to be pressed down. I will determine to see the world that God created, not the hopeless brick wall that the enemies of freedom want me to see.



Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)


God bless all of you.


Mary


38 comments:

  1. I just loved the story! Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Have a blessed week!
    Karrie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing Mary. God Bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary, you put our situation in such beautiful words, we will not let others bring us down, one day we may not be free, but we will still be free spiritually to serve our Risen Lord. He will always be with us through the fire. Hope you have a great week-end and always remember we are the only ones who can turn from the Lord, no one can force you do it.
    Molly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely story Mary, and remember no one can build a brick wall to block your view, your relationship with God is strong and faithful.. God loves you and knows your heart as he knows every hair on your head, have a beautiful Sunday my friend......:-) Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, Mary this was a beautiful story. One that I really needed to hear today. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Willow

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have heard that story before but it has been a long time and I loved reading it again. It was so inspirational. I too am concerned about liberty and security in our nation right now. You're right. It seems some are trying to put up a brick wall. I am encouraged though that so many people seem to be waking up to what is going on.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well said Mary, well said!
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mary, I have loved this story for years. I have told it from the pulpit to illustrate a point. I especially like it today because of your words and the Scripture from Daniel. Thank you for posting this today. You have encouraged us all by sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Mary, for these encouraging words. God bless you and may you have a wonderful Sunday. Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mary, what a lovely story. I am definately at a lose of words. I love hearing Gods spiritual words. I love your blog. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday of God's glorious spirit.

    Blessings,
    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Mary,
    Okay this really brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful story I will have to keep it in inspirational journal. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your heart and words of encouragement with me!!

    Hugz Lorie

    ReplyDelete
  12. The imagination of the blind man helped both men see better. Thank God for the creativity He has given us.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a wonderful story and points up that so much is in our perspective of looking at things.
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for your encouraging story and sharing your passion for freedom. Happy Sunday, Mary!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have read the story before . A moving one.
    Teaching us too live by faith.
    Have a blessed week.
    Regina
    See my post here an old one.
    http://regina-myfavorite.blogspot.com/2009/02/weather-change.html

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sets some wonderful standards. How I wish everyone could read this touching story.
    God Bless,
    Ginge

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Mary,
    I have heard this before and I love it! It is all in perspective isn't it? We can view our life as being empty or we can try to find beauty in everything.

    "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
    2 Chronicles 7:14
    This is a prayer I cling to for our nation!
    Thank you for this great reminder today to pray.
    Blessings to you,
    Kymber

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, Mary ... I love this story; and your illustration of the brick wall.
    Thank you for stopping by and sharing what you learned re. angels; I'm going to try and google that scripture you referenced right now!
    We worship God because we've CHOSEN to ... incredible, for sure!

    Have a wonderfully-blessed day!

    Myra

    ReplyDelete
  19. Cool story--encouragement is a good habit to pursue!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Mary what a blessing your blog is for today. When you get on in years like HH and I it is so easy to get cynical. If it were not for our faith, our scripture to encourage and good blogging friends like you it would even be harden. Blessings to you and yours.
    QMM

    ReplyDelete
  21. Blessings Mary!
    I think the story you shared has much to say and I am glad you have shared this.
    Much more, your personal thoughts about the brick wall are much appreciated and empowering to me.

    God bless you, Mary. I believe that God raises up a standard when so much ugliness is looming to take us over.
    Your Sister in Christ,
    d from Kansas

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mary, this was beautiful!
    I wish the priest at Sunday Mass today had been as inspiring! I'm glad I came here!

    I agree so much with the sentiments about freedoms lost, but if you look around, if you listen, if you read, you see that we are not alone. There are many people who feel the same way. And I really believe that God will not abandon us.
    Even God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose their own fate. Do lesser powers on earth really think they can thwart freedom and succeed for very long? History tells us otherwise.
    Keep the Faith!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Mary, such an amazing story. Thank you for encouraging me this day.

    Everyone needs to read and think about this!

    Hope your Sunday is blessed.

    Hugs, Barb ♥

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Mary
    Thank you for such an encouraging post today!
    ((hugs)) Rhondi

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello Beautiful!
    I love love love this post!
    This is living...
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Mary....I have read that story before but it always a good reminder. Thanks for sharing it!
    ~Hugs,Patti

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a powerful story! I know we are all concerned about the future, but I still believe that prayer changes things. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey Mary!
    My background on my blog keeps changing. Quick take a look...it will change again. Haha
    I took the dark brown border off because it was hard to read the writing and went with a different brown with darker lettering. I have to have my techie daughter help me...this computer stuff still makes me nervous.
    Thx for visiting.
    Have a blessed week!
    d

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mary this story stuck in my head...I was sitting in the seniors chapel tonight and this story came to mind...thanks for sharing it is a good one!

    Thanks for reading my blog and sorry for the confusion. What I was trying to say is...it is hard to read the words you have spoken. I did not write the article, but I spoke the words...hope that makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mary,
    How true ,it is good to be an encourager.I agree, we do not know if America has crossed the line.We as Christians ,are salt & light. There are many of us praying for America, I personally am concentrated on praying for revival in the church in America.It's hard to believe if there are as many christians as reported by surveys that things would be in the condition that they are. The body of Christ needs to turn back to God, start studing the Bible, start doing what it says and strenghten the things which remain. It is an encouragement to me that some are doing just that.
    Love in Christ,
    Myrna

    ReplyDelete
  31. I had read this before but this is a beautiful, inspiring story that should be read time and time again. What a wonderful thing to see through the eyes of heart...and encourage others forgetting his own limitations. But in God, there is no limitations because He sustains us with His grace. Blessings to you and have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Mary,
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I've read it before, but it never fails to tug at my heart. Have a blessed day.

    Hugs,
    ♥Ana

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love that story Mary. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a beautiful post. It is so true that what we do for others comes back to us a hundred, even a thousand fold.
    That is not always easy for us to keep in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  35. May we always see like the man by the window!!

    blessings
    mary

    ReplyDelete