I am fascinated with individual perspective as I have it and as I see it manifested in others. It is odd that we, who are in the picture, often think we can see ourselves as well, if not better, than the camera person. I think my friends can often see me better than I can because they are not fettered with the need I have to see myself in a good light. I can somehow justify anger based on the person or event which triggered the anger instead of the brokenness in me which was the real cause of the anger.

My wife had a gift of calling on me right when I was going to sit and rest. I decided I was going to let her know that her talent was upsetting when I realized that it wasn’t her at all. It was revealed that she had no idea when I was going to sit. Her call was coordinated to test how loving I was and how willing I was to put others first. It was a real heart check, which I failed at the time. I’m still in a learning mode.

Babies provide revelation. Children under two have no problem with a diaper change. They have no issue, discomfort, or embarrassment with having someone else take off the old, clean the mess, and put on the new. They immediately go back to playing without a backward glance. They have yet to learn the shame and embarrassment that comes with training to live in this world. We call every mess a mistake, a faulty label. There are no mistakes for the growth oriented because all are training events in the process of going forward. We are victimized and unintentionally victimize others as though we were all born without the need for diapers and diaper changes, as though we could do all things perfectly the first time — a truly painful perspective.

Each of us is on a different growth timeline. We grow at different speeds and in different ways. It is easy to forget that the immature are now standing in their timeline where we have stood. Impatience is born and expressed when one person cannot respect another’s place on his/her timeline. It is amazing that the Lord deals wonderfully and uniquely with each of us as we are each in our own learning and growing timeline. He does not move to embarrass or shame us, but to move us forward toward a healthier and happier future with Him. I want to be more like that. I’m trusting that becoming more like that is on my growth timeline. I also wouldn’t mind a little less guilt and embarrassment when I make a mistake/mess. I’m sure that’s on my timeline too.