Perspective

Hi everyone. I’m Sherry Douglas with Heart-Song. Last week a city crew decorated the downtown Troy Christmas tree. It’s always fun to watch them accomplish not only getting the tree in place, but also decorated. The crew members are in bucket trucks so they can reach the tree from the top to the bottom. As I arrived at the Heart-Song office, which is on the square where the tree is located, I saw Santa in one of the buckets helping to decorate. Some of you may have seen that we posted a picture of the back of him with the caption, “Troy is so special, Santa has come to decorate our Christmas tree!” When I left the office a few hours later, I was surprised to see that it wasn’t Santa helping to decorate, but the Grinch DRESSED as Santa.

As I took another photo, this time of the Grinch, I realized that if I had taken the time to walk around the tree, I would have known it was the Grinch all along. From my narrow perspective I assumed the specifics of the situation. In reality, I only knew the big picture and definitely not the details. People on the other side of the tree had a complete picture – a green face and green hands poking out from a Santa suit.

Then I thought of everyday life. How often do I believe, feel or think I know a situation when in reality I only see MY perspective? To be open to others and their perspectives takes an intentional effort to listen and to be respectful. We don’t have to agree with another’s perspective, but we can be kind and show appreciation for the person as a fellow human who is created in God’s image. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to examine how we respond to situations in which we don’t have the full picture. Live the way you want to be remembered! Merry Christmas!