A dear, elderly friend of mine once remarked, “Honey, it’s all in the way you look at things.” I’ve often recalled her insightful words of wisdom, especially during challenging seasons of my life. Obviously, this positive and faith-filled individual had discovered a very precious secret along life’s pathway which enabled her to view her circumstances through eyes of hope and thankfulness.

When I was a child, my parents and I would often go camping on the weekend in our travel trailer to a favorite site located next to the river and under the tall Idaho pines. Because our “spot” was almost a hundred miles from home, we would usually arrive long after dark on Friday night. Once we were settled and in bed, I would gaze out the small upper bunk window at the towering pines and think to myself how big and unfriendly they appeared in the night shadows. After a time, I’d snuggle deep into my sleeping bag, close my eyes, and dream of morning. When the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, I would again peer out the little window. The huge pines which had once seemed so threatening in the dark now glistened in the morning sun. Same scene. Different perspective. Our point of view can make all the difference in the world.