I'd like to order a little perspective, please.

I stopped into my local health food store the other day and asked one of the clerks if they carried hot cocoa with mushrooms.  I was just about to launch into my "it sounds gross, but it's really not bad" speech, when she responded, "Oh, that sounds really good."

Although I didn't attempt this, I imagine that if I had made this same request at my local supermarket, the response would have been decidedly different. 

I chalk this up to perspective.  If you are into health and nutrition, you know that medicinal mushrooms are good for your immune system.  If not, Hot Mushroom Cocoa sounds like it should be served on the playground along with Mud Pies.

Everything we've seen, done, read or experienced in life up to this point has formed our perspective.  This leads us to have certain expectations about the future.  As the New Year is about to ring in, and will most certainly bring about change, how can our perspective (the past) and our expectations (in the present) help us navigate the new adventures that await us?

Because, for me, change is frequently equated with fear.  I don't like change.  Things are comfortable just the way they are, thank you, and I don't see a need to make them different.  Even things that aren't that great are at least known.  So, how do I change my perspective on the changes to come?

When I was a young girl, I loved to embroider.  As I got better at it, the finished product was quite beautiful.  But, when you looked at the back side of the stitchery, it was a confused mess of knots.  You couldn't even identify the picture. 

Life is like that.  We can only see the tangled threads, but God's perspective is different.  He sees it from above.  Instead of a confused mess of randomness, He can see the beautiful finished work. 

What I really need, then, is a Heavenly perspective.  Seeing things through the eyes of the One who knows me best, loves me the most and knows the plans He has for me. By keeping my focus on Him as I journey the road ahead, fear will give way to hope and trust.  

I don't know what 2012 will bring.  But, I know Someone who does.   And when I can't find perspective on the menu, I know He'll surprise me with the perfect meal.