I was born with arthrogryposis, meaning “stiff joints.”  Hence, the more physically flexible I can be, the better off I am.

One Friday night during my college years, I attended a prayer gathering.  At the end of our time together, unbeknownst to me, the pastor asked everyone to gather around and lay their hands upon me, and he began praying, “Lord, straighten her legs!”  Mentally, though, I exclaimed, “No, Lord!  No, Lord!”

From this experience, the power of one’s assumptions was revealed to me.  Not only do they project one’s own perspectives onto the situation, but it prevents comprehending the other’s point of view.  As the actor Alan Alda once quoted, “Your assumptions are your windows on the world.  Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won’t come in.”

Heavenly God, as we interact with others, help us to see with Your eyes the full picture of what is happening.  In Your holy name I pray, Amen.