Perspective

At first glance, you might notice a tired, white brick wall, years beyond its prime. The yellowing tough exterior, the dark age spots, and its unkempt appearance indicate years of hard work and exposure to the elements. Hardly the view most of us seek when house hunting. 

If you take a second (or third or fourth) glance however, and maybe even pull up a chair to really notice the space behind our house, you might discover a bit more:  

The friendly pharmacist waving ‘hello’ on his way to the bank.

The jelly-bean shaped minivan full of medical supplies, a generous driver, and his sweet pup.

The tomato plants stretching beyond their bed to tickle alley walkers.

The karate kids running helter skelter, racing the clock and their lagging parents.

The pain-ridden neighbor shuffling to answer her door.

The frustrated young family struggling to make ends meet.

The woman with a severe limp offering a smile every time she sees our kids.

Despite appearances, this building–this alley–is teeming with life, full of humanity in all its joy and sorrow, peace and angst, ease and struggle, freedom and bondage. I confess I don’t always choose to see beyond the water stains and vaping teens. In my longing for more space and a bigger window with breathtaking views of sunsets and stars, sometimes I begrudge the cracked concrete with its limited view. I dream of acres to explore, more land and fewer people. (I see you, introverts.)

But this is where Love has led us and if I were to share the whole story, you would marvel at how the alley off of Main came to be the view from our kitchen window. Right now and for reasons I do not fully understand, we are rooted in small town life where sidewalks and cigarette butts are more common than pristine backyards and HOAs (thank God). 

Choosing to see more than a worn out building is to trust the One who led us here to live in proximity to the dear souls in this alley and around us–the ones we get to encounter nearly every day. 

What a gift to behold–when I’m willing to look at it from a different perspective.