2014-01-02 - A Fresh Look

Lately I have gotten caught up in the Words with Friends_™ game on my phone via Facebook_®. Basically it’s a SCRABBLE_™ game with several different people as opponents for said games. I thought trying it would be a good way to freshen my mind of words and possibilities; keeping the synapses firing so to speak. I have to say, though, when I first played a few games with people, I found it very frustrating (somewhat due to really poor letter luck!) Having once dealt with reverse dyslexia it can be difficult for me to focus on words in different directions as well as the idea of unscrambling the tray letters for making the next word. Even after retraining my brain as a young child it can still be a challenge and I can become fixated on how something looks and not be able to notice other options. Then I noticed a button option on the game and it changed my whole approach. It’s the “shuffle” button. It quickly rearranges the letters I have to use in a new way that I likely hadn’t, nor would have considered.

Many times I have thought to myself “aha” when seeing the change and found a good place to put a word. I still lose about half the games, but knowing that there may be an option I had not considered makes it at least worth the effort from a person who would normally rather do anything than play a word game.

The “shuffle” button had me consider another idea as well. How often to do get fixated on the way we have always considered something and not taken the time to have a fresh look at it? Whether it is how to rearrange a room, a different way to approach a daily task to make it less routine, or even a different way of thinking about things God has in mind for us. Sometimes its how we can re-read a Scripture and get a new idea from it that we hadn’t considered. So many things we can learn from this life if we stop and take a fresh look. I know I need to do it daily. How about you?

and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:23 ESV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Deborah Durrett

cfpraydeb@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org