The waiter should have taken two trips, the plates were super heavy and not stacked for the long trip through the garden cafe. Or perhaps not have stopped by our table while carrying the load, and just stayed single minded going back into the restaurant. Because our sidebar conversation about putting the credit cards in his apron may have set him off-kilter, distracted, and he was off-kilter already, as I mentioned, with the big heavy plates. Not the action but the conversation. Well an averted disaster as I grabbed plates as he set them down on our open table. It would have been bad, with broken plates on rocks, but we didn’t have that happen, crisis averted. I suggested that why not scrape the plates camp-style and stack, but he was too embarrassed to absorb that info. He also was trying to explain that he couldn’t take the bill and credit cards, each table had to go up front, OK… OK and I’m sorry and grateful for the whole situation of almost dropped plates truly grateful for not dropped plates. This is taking two looks at the same situation. One trip, two views. Grateful and well, grateful. Graced and Graceful.

One trip – the waiter’s view of pain and embarrassment, let alone strain of those plates (I mean like 8 really thick plates) – and my view of helping or of two views ‘almost crashed’ and ‘not crashed’ – of helpful and not helpful – and my ultimate view of NOT spoiling the idyllic view, and atmosphere in the garden, in the shaded sunshine of a place I always wanted to be. Grace in all things.

There were ladies who lunched who came with their bicycles surely coming off the nearby trail. Their bicycles so neatly lined up. Such a photo in my mind that I took one with my phone camera. Two views to one trip – my photo and my mind, which the view with our eyes always seems better. And these ladies had a great view of their bicycles outside plus surely a great view riding. They also had a return trip in front of them after a big lunch. I hope they had a wonderful time, I’m knowing we were all appreciative of being outside. Imagine a view of dreaming enjoyably about being in their shoes with this privilege, but then not needing to be and zipping in the car more easily. Privilege either view… Graced and Grateful.

This scene within a short hour provided many views , including memory of the situation. I think we should walk through each day with two views, ours and how the Lord views our steps and missteps.  We know that He will guide us. And we know that he will forgive us because his love is unconditional, no condition for granting love. Privilege in both views. Graced and Graceful.

We are very conditional as we view the world, make plans and bargains, and fail to just sit and enjoy the present. What if we were to take God’s view, having already been given grace to then keep moving through the day KNOWING that. Then being able to share that. No need for hurt memories or second trips rehashing ‘what ifs’… What if we sat in GRACE like being in the shade on a sunny day, and just said THANK YOU LORD. One trip, two views. BOTH IN GRACE. Let us not mix them up. Focus on things GIFTED from above.

Grace and Grateful – and Graceful to share…

AMEN

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

AMEN AMEN