A Fresh Perspective

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

“Whoa, you need to vacuum your office.” She paused just inside my door, taking in the almost-dead Boston fern and the carpet around it littered with shriveled leaves. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I didn’t mean to say that your office is messy.”

“No, you’re right, and that’s not rude. I’ve been trying to save that fern for months, and I probably need to acknowledge defeat and toss it.” I peeked over my desk at the mess resulting from my ongoing reluctance to throw out any plant until it is deader than dead and completely beyond rehabilitation.

Her accidental honesty was refreshing, and it reframed my perspective concerning that Boston fern. By that afternoon, it was in the dumpster, my entire office had been swept clean, and I felt lighter and happier having a tidy space once again.

I’ve periodically wondered how long I’d have lingered in limbo with my messy office and mostly dead fern without her comment. And I’ve wondered where else I’ve perhaps grown too complacent, allowing spiritual, emotional, or even physical clutter to gather, preventing me from seeing the situation clearly until someone walks in with a fresh perspective and the bravery—or foolhardiness—to say something.

Allowing a trusted someone a peek into our thought processes, physical spaces, or any other area where we can grow stagnant and blind to the status quo can be a gift, especially when we are willing to accept feedback without offense. Listening to suggestions doesn’t always mean we’ll make a change. Still, considering another’s viewpoint can reawaken us to ideas or things that have crept into our normal and ordinary when they should not have, or it can remind us of truths we’ve let slip away.

I am grateful that God created us so that community, intimate friendship, and familial relationships are there to gently course correct us when our perspectives start to get a bit skewed. Rather than shut down conversations when views differ from our own, let’s practice listening with discernment, asking God to help us sift well-meaning feedback, showing us when it requires change and when, though lovingly said, it can be gently ignored.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

What areas of your life could use loving feedback? Invite someone you trust out for coffee and a chat, asking God to refresh your perspective.