Perspective

Perspective is an interesting thing. Sometimes a minor adjustment helps us see the exact same thing in a dynamically different manner. A few weeks ago, our son's football team was tied at 6 in a game that they should have probably been winning. As any sporting enthusiast knows, a tie is like 'kissing your sister' as one of my coaches taught me! As the game proceeded to move through overtime, a sense of disappointment crept in. Then with under a minute to play, that all changed.

While being sacked, my son's team quarterback inextricably heaved a pass to no one... except a surprised member of the other team, who with great joy trotted 40 yards into the endzone. Stunned parents longed for the tie that had just slipped through our children's fingers. Since overtime was not sudden death, the following kickoff was returned to the opponents 25 yard line. But with 12 seconds remaining and no time outs, it seemed all was lost. On the next play, the ball was handed off for a pick up of about 10 yards with 1 second remaining. On the last play of the game, the ball was once again handed off and the halfback slipped and jostled his way to the endzone. There was dancing and laughing at the incredible turn of events... and that was the parents! The game finished in a 12-12 tie, but how sweet it was! I share that, because perspective is indeed interesting. In just seconds, that tie went from bitter to sweet!

We are all visiting this site because of a common bond we share with one man named Jim. Some are wrestling with the shock and despair of thinking, "All is lost." Some are wondering about the injustice of Jim not being granted more years to live here on earth. Whatever our thinking, could we maybe just for a moment, look to another perspective. If all there was in life was what we experience in the here and now, then despair would be in order. However, as Jim understands, that is not all there is to our existence.

What if our reality took on an eternal perspective that says life here... whether 100 years or 100 days, is a drop in the bucket compared to the larger perspective eternity brings. hmmmm... that might change things. Will we miss Jim... absolutely! Will his loss be huge... absolutely! But, perspective tells us those losses will be felt mostly by us. For Jim, physical pain and emotional loss will yield to gain in the not too distant future. His reality will be a transition we can only long for yet.

For us, we will toil longer, passing days until we too will not only join Jim, but other loved ones that have gone on before us. Jim understands and lives this perspective. I pray that each of us would not just understand it as well, but embrace it as our own reality. I know Jim would sincerely desire that for each of us... his family and friends! Sometimes a tie can be quite a victory... it's a matter of perspective. We love you Jim!!!!!!!