Day 17: TRUTH
What is “the truth”?
Not “The Truth.”
Just “the truth” in our everyday ordinaries.
Can you find “the truth,” for example, in the following “Tale of 3 Thunderstorms”?
My Thunderstorm
I’ve stayed up too late. (Again!) As I finally drift off to sleep…
BOOM!
A peal of thunder jolts me awake.
Sure, the weather channel predicted this. But really? At midnight? Come on! It’s the last month of school.
I. need. my. sleep.
BOOM!
Another crash, right above our house. The wind rattles our windows. Lightening flashes over and over.
In a few minutes, the storm dies down, reduced to the comforting sound of falling rain. I start to drift off again.
BOOM!
Not again?
BOOM!
Yes, again.
For what feels like hours, two storm fronts battle it out over our house. The noise dies does just long enough for me to start falling asleep before…
BOOM!
I’m awakened again, adrenaline pumping.
It is a Very. Bad. Night.
Maria’s Thunderstorm
I drag my carcass out of bed with the 5:30 AM alarm (a.k.a. Three cats who want the garage door open now. The same three cats who will soon dash back in, dripping wet and furious that we “threw them out in the rain”!)
I check Facebook and notice that my neighbor Maria has posted about last night’s thunderstorm.
“Last night’s thunder and lightning storm was amazing. My son and I drove out to the bluff to see the lightning bolts. What a beautiful light show!”
Amazing? Beautiful light show?
What is she talking about? All that lightening kept me from sleeping! I could see it with my eyes closed!
Someone asked, “Weren’t you scared?” to which she replied
“Oh yeah. I was scared. That was part of the excitement! We even drove to Manresa for a better view. The grand finale was amazing!”
Excitement?
Grand finale?
Amazing?
Clearly I won’t be going to Maria for sympathy today!
Erik’s Thunderstorm
Instead, I turn to my English II students. Certainly they lost sleep to this awful storm! Certainly they will commiserate with me!
“So,” I bait them, “did anyone lose some precious sleep last night?”
A chorus of complaints assures me I’ve turned to the right peeps for support.
(Misery sure does love company!)
We all talk at once, gesturing animatedly to emphasize the loudness of the thunder, the brightness of the lightening, and the repeated adrenaline overloads to which we were subjected all night long.
Then Erik, who has not joined the conversation, raises his hand.
“You know, Mrs. G,” he says, fingering his hearing aid, “some people would give anything to hear a thunderstorm at night.”
3 Tales of 1 Thunderstorm
(Can’t see the image? Click here to download 1 Corinthians 13:6!)
What is “the truth” about this thunderstorm?
That it caused a Very. Bad. Night?
That’s one perspective.
That it gave a dazzling light show?
That’s a different perspective.
That it served as a reminder to be thankful?
That’s yet another perspective.
What is “the truth”?
The Story I Tell Myself
Perspective defines “the truth.”
When I am judgmental, I see only one perspective: mine. My “truth” is limited to the one story I am telling myself:
The thunderstorm caused a Very. Bad. Night. End of story.
When I am curious, I am open to multiple perspectives. My “truth” expands, allowing for greater creativity:
Next thunderstorm, maybe Maria can pick up me.
(Hey, if I’m gonna miss sleep, I’d rather tell cool stories about lightening than whine about lost sleep!)
And maybe we can swing by Erik’s house so he doesn’t miss out on all the excitement this time.
What is “the truth”?
The stories that prompt rejoicing come closest to “the truth.”
And bring us closer to The Truth.
Leave a comment!
- responding to today’s blog, and/or
- sharing your Day #1-17 experience of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, and/or
- about anything else on your heart!
I’m a bit behind on the challenge, but enjoying it and finding it useful. It really helped me when I thought about what I’m trying to achieve: being a more positive person! I’d like people to think I was a positive person! Sometimes I find it helpful to focus on the positive and not just on the negative (trying not to complain or criticise). Thank you for all your hard work in producing this challenge – it’s a great blessing to many!
My pastor just did a sermon on perspective. I love it when God re-enforces what He wants me to get! Thank you!
Vicky
[email protected]
Thank you! I know that I am often listening to the “old story” and I hope by His grace to listen to “His story” instead.
Great video! We do tell ourselves stories. It helps us cope with life. Growing up there was a lot of disfunction in my home. I loved to read stories and dream I was in them. The stories I read placed stories in my head of what my life could or should be like. They were just fiction though. My reading those stories made me believe that proposals for marriage had to involve more than “Will you?” as a request for my hand. That’s the best he knew how to ask. The stories I have told myself have also not been great for my marriage but with God’s help I’m not telling myself so many stories anymore.
I like Erik’s perspective on the storm. Why don’t I think of it that way? We take so many things in our lives for granted (i.e…sight, sound, taste, and touch). God has given us so many things that we take for granted each and every day. I actually like watching lightning (from a good distance). I just don’t care for the thunder.
What a great way to show how we think and dont realize in the moment how much we should be thankful instead of complaining….Oh but if only I could hear…oh but if only I could see….Oh but if I could only…
The strange part is even though we can hear and see…there are times we really dont hear and see its our choice …Thank you Cheri for this study it has helped me soo much to realize where I fail…God doesnt fail me I let him down…He is So Great a Loving God…
Great thoughts on perspective! Reminds me of the story of five blind men asked to describe an elephant…
BTW, when I was teaching, my students called me Ms. G. too.
It amazes me everyday how much this challenge has open a part of that has always been there but I didn’t allow it to come out. I’m so blessed and thankful to God for putting you in my path. I so want the same life with new stories to tell.
I love today’s post and perspective even on truth itself.
The opposite of truth is lie but is it a lie if you really believe it? Hmmmm…. Thanks for the eye-opener!
This is so true! It’s all in how we look at it! I teach my kids this, but it’s great to be reminded myself! Btw – I love thunderstorms and always have – they are comforting to me. Like sending God’s presence. However, my sister is terrified of them and always has been, and now so are her children. Interesting how we can pass down our perspectives – something to ponder…..Natalie mcneill
Sometimes it is herd to see the potential from our own perspective….but it is there.
Skin cancer being removed today; have been “why me?” new perspective-it’s treatable by removing it and I’m alive
Heidi J
I loved the video. I cried over the perspective change of what is happening in your son’s life. I am a mother of 3 young boys and I am afraid that there are days where my perspective is that I am overwhelmed, too much on my plate, boo-hoo, boo-hoo. I am reminded on a regular basis of all of the older moms who encouraged me as I was ready to give birth to our 4th child – a little girl – that these days pass by so quickly and to embrace each moment I have while they are young. Already my oldest is changing before my eyes and it feels like just yesterday I was kissing his little nose just hours after I gave birth to him. I’m thankful for the reminder that even in the moments of frustration, the truth prevails…I am a joyful mother of children and that these dear ones are blessings and gifts from the Lord, the fruit of my womb is a reward. Thank you Jesus!!! Just sharing this truth is encouraging to my own heart this morning and I hope it encourages someone else to embrace their reward!
Great video! The negative stories I tell myself has taken a toll on my marraige too. Thanks for the reminder of how we will miss out on all the wonderful things in this world if we dont give those negative thoughts to God. Natalie
Great message today – never really sat down and thought about how differently everyone sees the same situation…. I think I might have seen the thunderstorm story the same way you did – although I’d much rather have just made the best of the situation and gone out for a light show. Hind sight is 20/20 right??
Too true!!! One’s viewpoint really does change the bad from good! I often say that there is no such thing as a bad day. Our day is what we make it!:-)
God’s timing is perfect. I’ve been convicted to look at my “reality” (what something feels like) vs. the reality outside of me vs. God’s reality for me. Oh. Thank you for this amazing message – I can’t wait to do this day with fresh eyes!
Sally ([email protected])
Cheri, I have so appreciated your daily messages! Thank you! I find myself sharing your message with others often! You will never know how many lives you have touched. Thank you! Praying Christ will lift you for your loving service to others! Thank you! Beautiful message! Rainbows follow rain. I am thankful for God’s constant tender care! Thank you for being on His errand!
Märta
A Mom
St. George, Utah
This is AWESOME! I love the different perspectives! I always had such a phobia of storms, but as I’ve gotten older, it’s not so bad (unless it is a really bad scary one ;-)lol ) This is such a great reminder… & The book in the giveaway looks amazing!
Katie E. ([email protected])
I love today’s post. I guess we have to remember it takes rain to make a rainbow so we can be thankful for the rain too!!! ~Sarah
I am such a believer is speaking positively and kindly to myself and others. Even when faced with life’s most challenging moments I have said I will get up put a smile on my face and a bounce in my step and thank God for the blessing of a new day!
ahhhh …thanks for the reminder…..putting on “different persepctive ” glasses today!
Dy