To Jump is to Miss Out

I may just be the only person who has ever done this.  Matter of fact, not too many would probably even think about doing this one little thing.  Then again, maybe it’s more of a thing that’s done without thinking.  Because if we really thought about it, we more than likely would not want to do this thing.  It can be very costly to not only the person who does it, but to others as well. 

So, what is this “thing” I’m rambling about? 

Jumping to conclusions

I really don’t think I’m the only one who’s ever done this.  It can sure be a costly lesson to learn, can’t it?  (Well, I guess only those who have ever taken the jump can answer that question.)  However, I’m going to direct this post more at the “I” and “me” ... I don’t want to assume that anyone else falls into the “jumper” category.

What really happens when I jump to conclusions …

** I see only what I want to see & not any other piece of the picture.  More than likely I don’t have all the details regarding a situation.  You know, the whole interrupting in a conversation and saying “You really don’t need to say anything else.  I completely understand.”  Even if the other person does need to say more & I really don’t understand everything at all.  I’ve found (through experience) that it’s really better to allow someone to say what they need to say without me interrupting … but, with me listening … and hearing what the person is saying to me. 

** My viewpoint is clouded.  No matter what the circumstance of my jump, I now have a tainted view of it (whether "it" is a person, situation, or anything else).  I haven’t allowed myself to get to know the person or the situation at hand. It’s sad that I could miss out on a friendship, or getting involved in a ministry or cause, or given of myself to be a blessing to others.  So, I’ve missed out all around.  All because of my distorted view. 

Possible repercussions of jumping to conclusions can be …

** Distortion of a person who may not be who I thought.  This was actually directed at me a while back.  I was in a group meeting and was chatting with some others.  Later on someone from our little chat group said to me “You aren’t anything like I thought you would be.”  I had no idea that an inaccurate conclusion was what was between us at that point in time.  And now, years later, I still value her friendship deeply. 

** I don’t allow God to use me for His glory.  I hold back on getting involved in the ministries and blessings that God wants of me.  I refuse to see more of the circumstance and just want to live with my clouded tunnel vision of the truth.  When this happens, God cannot use me for His glory. 

I, for one, have missed out on many great blessings from God by my own jumps.  It’s not anyone's fault but my own.  But, by God’s mercy I can move forward and take a look at things in a way that glorifies my Creator.  I believe that He doesn’t want any of us to take those jumps, but He desires each of us to bring everything to Him … whether we are working through situations … listening to other counsel regarding a certain matter … or just figuring out what we’re supposed to be doing.  He’s never too busy for any of us. 

When we seek Him & His Word, there’s no need to take any jumps.  I’ve jumped too many times and I certainly do not enjoy them at all.  But, it’s through the hard experiences that I’ve learned to allow God to direct me in the path where He needs me.  Whether with friends, circumstances, situations … when we jump to conclusions, we are the ones who miss out.  Sometimes we just need to be still and listen to what God is saying to us instead of listening to distractions.

I really don’t think I’m the only person who has ever taken this jump … afterall I’d be jumping to conclusions if I did.  

 May God be with each of us as we rely on His wisdom and His truth in every matter we face.    

Tweet-Inspired Perspective

One social network I take part in is Twitter.  Although I really have no idea what to tweet, I am extremely passionate about certain areas in life (Christianity, politics, self-improvement, etc).  I've learned that through Twitter, I much prefer to follow headlines with links to full stories -- anything from the mundane to the more substantial.  Granny does get her feathers ruffled occasionally over the mundane (just read my post on hairspray) as well as the more substantial current world events. Twitter allows me to "follow" and keep current with any person, event, organization, or topic that I choose.  It's what interests me.

One such person that Granny 'follows' on Twitter is Mandisa.  I have so enjoyed this girl's voice and testimony to Jesus Christ since she was on American Idol Season 5.  (Personally, I thought it would be between Elliott and Mandisa, but ... oh well ... back on topic.)

As I read through the Twitter headlines yesterday, I ran across Mandisa's which read "Filled up @ Shell 4 $2.79. Drove 3 miles & saw it @ Kroger 4 20 cents less. Have I mentioned how grateful I am 2 evn HAVE a car? #Perspective".  I was struck! Of all things for me to focus on, that one word struck me: perspective.  But, wait a minute, Granny!  This struck you over a 20 cent difference at the gas pump -- you really need to put things into perspective!  (Like I said, from the mundane to the more substantial):  Mandisa earlier today -- "How God-ronic that I'm n studio recording a song abt trusting God on hard days while I'm experiencing that exact thing! #Perspective"

Each of us have our own perspective on many different aspects of life.  Granny has her own perspective as well.  Sometimes our perspectives are shaped by our experiences, sometimes by events going on around us ... any aspect of our lives can help give us perspective on things.  Even social media.  My Twitter list encompasses everything from (the more substantial) Christ followers to politicians to military to gossip columns (the more mundane) and just about anything in between such as bloggers, writers, artists and so much more. 

"Granny, why do you let a mundane, simple thing like hairspray ruffle your feathers?" Well, it's not as if the realization of testing new brands of hairspray actually did ruffle my feathers, but it was a release for me.  From my "perspective",  it was just a way to kind of vent and joke about it ... something mindless that could be used to distract from other areas that I may have been dwelling on too long.  I'm really not that shallow to allow hairspray to be such a high priority to me.  Yes, that word -- perspective.

So ... in order to put perspective into perspective ... along comes Pollyanna, the young orphan from the 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter.  (Several movies have been adapted from this novel including Disney's 1960 version.)  The orphaned title character "Pollyanna" comes to live with her wealthy aunt -- a stark contrast to the missionary life Pollyanna is accustomed.  This young girl's philosophy of life centers around her "Glad Game".  The game originated on the mission field one Christmas when the 'missionary box' of gifts arrived.  Pollyanna had hoped for a doll ... but instead received a pair of crutches.  Her father instantly replied that they should be glad for the crutches because they didn't need them!  Thus, Pollyanna began looking on the good side of things that came her way. 

We would play the Glad Game when our daughter was younger, and now look forward to playing it with Lucy as well.  Yes, there's been many times when the Glad Game was turned aside and pretty much left to gather dust.  But maybe it needs to be brought back out to help Granny (and maybe others?) gain a new perspective on life's events, circumstances, situations ... So, here's a short list of a few things in Granny's Glad Game today:

For my time to spend with Lucy while I have the opportunity.

For our kids who serve God & our country.

For Granddad's perseverance in his career that gives me the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Granny.

For my parents living within an hour and a half away from me.

For the ongoing relationship I have with my family who live several hours away from us.

For God giving me the opportunity to do various things in my life: business life, full-time adult student, school teacher, church volunteer.

For our health that I so much take for granted until the days of doctor appointments.

For you who have endured to read to the bottom of this post.

When Granny puts things into perspective, my Glad Game list is never-ending.  

Hopefully yours is too!