What's Your Favorite?

I remember the game well.  We began playing it when our children were younger, especially on long trips.  It kept us occupied but we enjoyed learning more about each other.  The children loved it then…and now.  We named the game “What’s Your Favorite?”  It’s simple.  Each person thinks of a question to ask all the others about their favorites in a specific category.  The more challenging the category is, the more interesting the answers.  The next person selects a different category until everyone has a turn.  Then it continues as long as desired.  Responses are sometimes expected but often surprising answers.  There are no winners or losers…we enjoy listening to one another…and casually compete for who can ask the most challenging question.

Sometimes our answers involved favorite animals, song, musical instrument, food, colors, vacation moments, Bible verses, Bible characters, cars, etc..  Often the discussions that followed were unexpected and cherished.  I am amazed at what our children ask or answer.  I know them quite well…but usually learned a pleasant surprise about them.

I remember the song Maria sang about her favorite things in “The Sound of Music.”  I loved singing along with her as I thought about my favorites: classical music, teacups and saucers, baskets, Snoopy, sea shells, mountains, a pink blanket I still have from college, white roses, pictures of my children, lavender roses, Battenburg lace, horses, mountains, Cherokee heritage, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Summer, piano, seafood, tennis, the colors of white and pink and monograms. 

Why do we prefer some things better than others?  I really don’t know.  I guess it is somehow connected with our experiences, lifestyle or history.  It may have no logical explanation.  We just normally like some things better…due to personal taste, identity and individuality.

We simply favor some things over others.  We feel more comfortable around certain people.  We learn better in some situations. We think we look better in a certain color or style.  Something is usually special to us because we find it enjoyable and beneficial.

What about those days that aren’t so wonderful?  What if we face situations we don’t want to face?  What if circumstances are not what we would ever consider beneficial?  What if someone doesn’t prefer us, like us or care about us?  What do we do when there is pain instead of pleasure…harm instead of help…loneliness instead of love…disease instead of delight…or loss instead of life?  What if we don’t have a choice…and we must endure the experience anyway? What’s so great about facing something, someone or something that isn’t enjoyable or beneficial?  What happens then?

I don’t think there is an easy answer.  But I think there is a choice in attitude.  We live in an imperfect world.  Sin has obviously entered and evil remains.  Life is not going to be perfect, fair, or understood.  How can we be pleasant, positive and even enjoy any “favorites” in such an environment?  I certainly agree…the shock, horror, concern and sadness in this life are very discouraging and overwhelming.  The reality is that life is difficult…on so many levels.  How do we possibly cling to any positive, passionate or powerful attitudes in such a broken world?

As the song says, “All I know is I’m not Home yet.”  It is life-changing to know that this is not the end of the story.  It’s just the beginning.  When I am overwhelmed with the wear, tear and care of this world, I remember that God is not finished writing my story.  The journey here on earth is not without hope.  We are never alone for He is always with us.  We may be broken but He is a God of healing.  We may not understand the cruelty of life but we have Christ Who has overcome the world.  Our perspective can be one of pessimism…or promise!

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

This doesn’t mean that we deny reality…or refuse to deal with the issues and cares of life.  It doesn’t mean that we have some “Pollyanna” attitude that ignores heartache, health issues, horrible tragedy or horrendous loss.  But it does mean that we have hope in Him and through Him. 

Romans 12:12, (NIV), says “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

And that, my friends, is my very favorite perspective!  ♥~thl