Growing up I was the youngest of three girls. When I was around four years old my mommy taught art classes for the neighborhood kids. She taught my sisters and their friends. I was there, but I wasn't really old enough to be painting. But, I remember my mommy telling the kids to look at the tree and paint exactly what they saw. She would say each painting would be different even though they would all be painting the same tree. It was a matter of perspective.
My daddy and mommy had taken an old run down house and remodeled it into a wonderful home for our family. They bought each of us our own hammer and taught us all how to use it correctly. Then they allowed us to help nail down the sub flooring in our bedroom. They wanted us to feel a real part in the building of the house. My daddy knew he would be able to hide our mistakes - dents in the wood as well as the bent nails. It would all be covered up with flooring. It was a matter of perspective.
As we were getting ready to put on the wood siding on the house they taught us how to paint. They showed us how to use long strokes with the brush with plenty of paint. Then when one side was dry we would turn them over and paint the back side and all the edges. I remember a friend of my daddy was there one time and laughed at us for wasting so much paint on the back side. 'No one sees that side!' My wise daddy said he was sealing the wood because he didn't want to have to repaint for a long time! It was a matter of perspective.
When I was six years old my family went on a trip to New York City. I remember seeing the little cars below the Empire State Building and asking my mommy if I could play with them when we got back to the bottom. To me, as a child, the tiny toy cars were moving on their own. I knew I would have a lot of fun with them if I could just get my hands on them! My mommy had to explain to me they were full size cars with people driving them. It was because we were so very high above them that they appeared to be small. It was a matter of perspective.
On that same trip we went to the World's Fair. My sisters were allowed to go into another room and my daddy, mommy, and I were amazed that we were able to see them wave to us on the television where we were. Videotaping was being introduced to the world. Before that, things could be filmed, but then the film had to be developed before being able to be seen on a TV. It was a matter of perspective.
They also were introducing the concept of the Video Phone. They said someday in the future people could call someone on the phone and they would be able to see them while they were talking! I remember my mommy saying that if that happened she would always have to comb her hair before she answered the phone! It was a matter of perspective.
As I remember these things of my childhood the perspectives my parents taught me have come to life. When I was in my twenties I began oil painting and recalled the early teachings of my mom - 'paint what you see'. I've even recalled those words when decorating a cake to the specifications of a friend.
They helped me to see I was a valuable part of the project - nailing down sub flooring. They taught me to not take short cuts - paint even the back side. (Side note - the paint never peeled and the new owners painted the siding just to change the color!)
They helped me to see sometimes things appeared small, but once I got to that place it would be normal.
I remember when my daddy got his first video camera. He was so excited to be able to videotape grandchildren and watch them easily from his TV.
As I'm getting ready to move across the ocean I thank God for the technological advances with the 'video phone' from long ago, because in January, I'll officially become a grandma. There are many options through the internet with Skype, FaceTime, and Google Hangout! I'll be able to 'see' the baby in real time. I'm sure I'll check my hair before answering!
I think about how many times we don't understand the situations around us. It might not make sense to others. But if we have listened to our Father and then trust in Him, and allowed Him to guide us through the learning process, we will see the right perspective - His perspective!
