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This morning I walked with a friend. We walk several times a week, and it’s become a special time as we talk about our children. Our dreams. Our issues.

God.  We talk lots and lots about God. 

My friend’s past is as harsh as anyone’s I’ve heard.

I love nothing more than when God gives us something profound while we are walking, because she instantly grabs it and praises God.

Sometimes she throws up her hands and says, I’m so blessed!

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I love those moments because a miracle has taken place in her perspective. She could absolutely talk about her past. About the abuse. About things that are so hurtful and private.

She could tell her kids, “I’m the way I am because of my past, so just deal with it.”

She could crawl into an emotional cave and not trust people, or God, or point out what others have done wrong and make excuses for her work-in-progress areas.

Instead she points to today. 

She’s still growing. Still asking God to write new chapters in her life, and that of her children. She’s still reaching for God. Still talking honestly to Him about things that seem bigger than her.

As we move into week #3 of The Mom I Want to Be, we’re skipping some chapters to read Chapter Six. It’s not that the chapters in between aren’t important, but we talk a lot about forgiveness here, and we only have six weeks together.

Our perspective matters.

It is our filter through which we look at life.

It’s our filter through which we parent.

It’s our filter through which we compare, or don’t compare, or grab life with abandon and joy, or plod through it with emotions that weigh us down and pour out over our most precious relationships.

How has your perspective impacted you as a mom?

What filter clouds or clears God’s promises over you and your family?

When it is all said and done, it is the things that are right in front of us (those things we might take for granted) that are the most enduring. It is those things (people) who matter to God. It is those little human beings, or big human beings, that are impacted by our perspective.

It’s why it matters.

Are you blessed?

I am. So incredibly blessed.

Suzie

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Just You and God

Read Chapter Six of The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future

Q: On page 88, we talk about natural temperaments. What is your natural temperament?

Q: Share two negative things that contributed to your perspective? Share the God perspective in the midst of that. 

Q: In this chapter we discussed four principles on perspective:

1. We don’t know what we have until we lose it.

2. When it’s all said and done, it is the things we most take for granted that are the most enduring.

3. Life will continue to present us with good things and difficult things. Within each of these are opportunities to grow.

4. Our perspective is not limited to temperament, circumstances, or other people.

Which of these challenge you to grow and stretch your perspective, with God’s help?