Power of Perspective

Once upon a time, there was a little boy with copper hair, just newly becoming a boy scout and he HATED it. Absolutely, totally and completely despised and loathed scouting. Why? To be honest, I don't remember why I hated scouts so much at the young age of twelve, but I hated it. From the very first day. I still have a picture, I wish I scanned it in so I could show you--its hilarious. It was a picture they took of my first day and it is by far the most miserable expression ever! It is like hatred and angst are leaking out of it. So maybe it's a good thing I'm not posting it.

Today, I was called in to be a second substitute leader for the boy scouts. Luckily in the last 9 years I have grown a little bit and I happily accepted the call, although I wasn't sure what to think I was determined to make this hour at least amusing to me. When I got there, I found we were working with knots and my heart sunk. If there was something I was AWFUL at as a young boy, it was knots. I dreaded those more than anything else in scouts. (Except maybe week long camp outs.) But I of course, didn't want to show that to these two young boys, so I confessed I had forgotten how to tie the square knot and that I was willing to learn.

It was so simple!

I am still amazed. I don't think its really a brain thing. Back then it was like torture to do knots and now, in less than three seconds I had done it on my first try. I found it so incredible and as I sat in the car on my way home, it taught me a lesson I have learned many times. Perspective is everything. Going into something if you decide to hate it, trust me, you will hate it.

I hated camping as a scout. Later, when I was almost 17, they had a trek and on instinct, I decided to be excited. And so I loved trek, which is significantly more grueling and hard than a week long. Another example of that. I know that it's the same with trials in life. With faith. With everything.

A helpful hint on learning how to do it well, is learning how to trust God. When you trust God, you can look at everything with an optimistic attitude. Even difficult trials and temptations. They work for your good. I know it's true. Keep your smile on, and keep your covenants and Gods commandments.