You've Got to Look at the Whole Picture

Yesterday I received an email from my Father-in-Law. When I get mail in my hotmail box, there is a pane on the opening page that shows which of my contacts have sent me mail. This includes the name of the sender and the subject line from the email. My FIL's said his name then the subject said, "From Dad--Not Good News".

I can honestly tell you that my heart stopped. I stared at the opening pane for a long time not wanting to click into the email to read the "not good news". I actually considered calling my DH and seeing what was going on. I didn't want to read! I imagined all sorts of bits of "bad news" that he could be sending: health of someone in the family, death of someone in the family or friends, loss of something, etc.

After a very long few minutes, I collected myself and clicked the email open. It was only then I realized that I was only seeing PART of the subject line. In it's entirety the subject line read: "From Dad--Not Good News About Society and Young Girls". It was an article he had come across that talked about what is happening in our culture with girls and their sexual development because they are being "objectified" and "sexualized" from a very young age via media, pop "idols", toys, and teen magazines.

So, yes, it is "BAD news". It makes me quite SAD to be honest. BUT it isn't what I was expecting when I first glanced at the email's subject line. And once again, I was reminded that I need to look at the whole picture before we jump to conclusions, push the panic button, or start the stream of worry and "what if's".

And I am reminded of two of my favorite verses about this very thing:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)

AND

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? (Matt. 6:27)

Now THAT'S a whole picture