Monday 23 April 2018

Why Your Window Is Important to Your Life



Recently, I’ve been intrigued by windows.

As I drive around the island, I seek them out.

Partly, because I’m looking for the survivors… the strong ones. The ones that fought the 185 mph winds of Hurricane Irma and won. 

But mostly, because I’m searching for the spark of hope that each new window represents. You see, our road to recovery following Hurricane Irma has been painfully slow and any sign of rebuilding stands out like a beacon.

Focusing on these new windows is one little way I've chosen to see the beauty amid the brokenness. 

It doesn’t matter that they’re not my windows… that my home is still a long way away from being livable again… just the sign of a new window going in fills me with hope. ‘Yay!’ I say, as I do a little victory dance in my head, ‘we’re getting there… we’re coming along!’

Then, I turn my attention to the ‘why’. Why did the homeowner choose this type of window?

I see the louvers allowing for excellent ventilation, and the single hung ones allowing for maximum view, and I wonder about the trade-offs.

You see, there are several key points to consider. For one, most of our homes here are not fully air conditioned, so air flow is a primary concern. Then, seeing as we live in one of the most stunning parts of the world, we want to let in as much beauty as possible. But most importantly, especially in these times, we must seriously consider security and hurricane protection.

Yep, it can be quite tricky taking all these factors into consideration.  

So, as I look at the new windows, I wonder about the homeowners’ decision-making process. 

How did they balance the need for fresh air and the desire for a beautiful view with the now pressing need for security/protection?

How did they choose which was the right window for them?

It makes me think about the windows we choose to view our lives.

As a Christian, my window to the world is largely influenced by my faith in God. I’ve given over ownership to Him, and He gets to make the decisions. But, I’m still responsible for walking in obedience to Him.

For example, for several years, I’ve had Philippians 4:8 plastered on my wall, in clear view, as a constant reminder of the peace that God offers if I look through this window.



Yet, many times I choose not to sit at that window. Rather, I grumble and complain and nit-pick, if you will. It’s stifling to be honest… doesn’t give me a good view of the world and leaves me open to many attacks on my peace and contentment.

But recently, God has been calling me to come back to the window. To sit and view life through Philippians 4:8. To trust that as Homeowner he has made the best decision.

And now, as windows are holding more and more of my interest, I’m beginning to fully appreciate the importance of choosing the window to my life.

Let me offer you two simple examples.

Windowpane 1

About a month ago, I came down with the flu. I hadn’t had the flu in a long time, and this one was bad. I felt horrible. What’s even worse, my daughter had it, too. We were miserable… none to help the other.

Each day I would pray and hope that tomorrow I would feel better, and for well over a week each new day brought not better but a different flavor of bad.

One day, as we sat by the window feeling rather sorry for ourselves, I suggested to my daughter that perhaps we could paint a picture… you know, to brighten up our mood a bit.

‘What shall we paint?’, she asked.

And I replied, ‘What we see through the window.’ It was at that time that I looked up and focused on what I saw through the window. Well, given my then present state of mind, the broken branches, and scars of a hurricane bashed island seemed to loom larger than life. It seemed like a hopeless venture.

But then, I remembered my little window. The one I’m choosing to view my life. My Philippians 4:8.

‘Well’, I said, seeing the look of discouragement on her face, ‘we can focus on the bright blue of the sky, the sparkling blue sea and the green of the hills. Let’s just focus on the good parts. There’s beauty there.’

Peace.

Windowpane 2

I wear a sparkly window around my neck. Well, it’s not really a window, but it could look like one, and to me it has come to represent the window I’m choosing to sit next to in this season of my life.  

It was a gift. A gift I didn’t really want. A gift I thought was too extravagant. In fact, I had to bite my tongue from saying what I really wanted to say when my husband presented it to me.

But, I soon realized that rather than focusing on the expense of the gift, I could instead focus on my sweet husband’s desire to bless his wife. I could ‘Philippians 4:8’ it.

Contentment.



It’s just like the Homeowner promised, the window works remarkably well. In great matters or small… my God is still in control, and I can rest in Him.

So, I choose to keep wearing my new shiny pendant as a reminder that no matter what is happening on the outside, life is fresher, the view is better, and I’m protected from a horde of negative emotions and interactions when I keep Philippians 4:8 as my window.

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What about you?

How is your window affecting your life? 
Is your attention drawn to the brokenness or the beauty that surrounds you? 
Are you focusing on what you have or on what you don’t have? 
Is your window framed with gratitude or entitlement? 
Which window have you chosen to sit next to today?

22 comments:

  1. Wonderful perspective. How we frame our day is most important. May we view life through the window of His Word for it is amazing what we then shall see! Grateful to have stopped here this morning! Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Joanne. You're right; I continually see new and amazing ways God is blessing me when I choose to sit by His window.Blessings!

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  2. I love that: we could Philippians 4:8 a lot of things. And I really need to claim that for myself because the view is always better when seen through God's windowpane. After all, He has the best, universal view of all things.

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    1. He sure does, Marv, but sometimes I forget that. He's constantly reminding me that I can trust His view of my life. Thanks for the encouragement.:)

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  3. Beautiful, Carlie. The window through which we see life makes all the difference.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thanks, Martha. It does make all the difference, doesn't it? Sometimes those truths are more evident than before.

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  4. I love this! It's so important which lens or as you said, window, we look through. It affects so much in our lives and is a reflection of our trust in God. Thanks for sharing. Praying your island recovers and is more beautiful than ever!

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I really appreciate your prayers.

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  5. Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite Bible verses and is a message that I need to remember as well. So whenever I look out a window today, I will recall this verse and your words of encouragement, Carlie!

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    1. It’s one of my favorites too, Beth. That’s a great idea to call that verse to mind every time we look through a window. Thank for the encouragement.

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  6. I was drawn to your post because we are in the process of buying new windows for our home. The beauty of the old windows is hard to find in a new one; but we are needing the energy efficiency now. Great post!

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    1. It’s always a trade-off it seems, isn’t it? Hope you find the best option for you. Thanks for visiting! Glad you liked the post.

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  7. My window is definitely framed by gratitude & I choose to view the blessings & beauty through the glass of the window of chronic health issues including chronic pain. God is such an awesome Window cleaner!

    You're most welcome to drop by for a cup of inspiration anytime!
    Jennifer

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    1. I’ll definitely be dropping by for a cup, Jennifer. You inspire me with your gratitude lens in the midst of chronic pain.

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  8. Thank you, Carlie! I take my windows for granted each day, so right this very moment, I'm looking out at spring beauty and rain, and thanking God that I am dry inside!

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    1. Sounds nice, Michele; we sure need some rain here now. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be taking my windows for granted anymore. Storms have a way of giving you a new appreciation and gratitude for all things life.

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  9. I love your perspective on this, Carlie. I've been sitting by stormy windows and cowering in the corner for a long season now, and it's time to sit by the glass, soak in some sun, and give thanks for God's goodness regardless of what's happening around me. Loved this!

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    1. Thank you, Stacey, I love how you summarized that. Every season is a good season to soak in some 'Son'. :)

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  10. Carlie, The way you keep your eyes on Jesus no matter how challenging the situations you face, is absolutely beautiful and inspiring. I'm praying God keeps filling your heart with His peace amidst the hard stuff. That He fills you with the self-discipline to keep fighting the enemy armed with the Word of God. And I'm praying for all those still rebuilding after the hurricane.
    Much love,
    Lori

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    1. Lori, I'm just so grateful for God and can't imagine living this life without His centering presence. Thank you for your continual support; your prayers mean so much to me.

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  11. Love this Carlie and love your reminder of His view of us and your analogy of different windows. Praying for you, your family and all the folks on the island as you continue to rebuild and choose your windows��

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    1. So grateful for your prayers. We have been recovering well. It's a long road, but with God's help we have been making steady progress.Thanks for visiting and leaving such a sweet comment.

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