Why Your Window Is Important to Your Life

Recently, I’ve been intrigued by windows.

As I drive around the island, I seek them out.

Partly, because I’m looking for the survivors… the strong ones. The ones that fought the 185 mph winds of Hurricane Irma and won. 

But mostly, because I’m searching for the spark of hope that each new window represents. You see, our road to recovery following Hurricane Irma has been painfully slow and any sign of rebuilding stands out like a beacon.

Focusing on these new windows is one little way I've chosen to see the beauty amid the brokenness. 

It doesn’t matter that they’re not my windows… that my home is still a long way away from being livable again… just the sign of a new window going in fills me with hope. ‘Yay!’ I say, as I do a little victory dance in my head, ‘we’re getting there… we’re coming along!’

Then, I turn my attention to the ‘why’. Why did the homeowner choose this type of window?

I see the louvers allowing for excellent ventilation, and the single hung ones allowing for maximum view, and I wonder about the trade-offs.

You see, there are several key points to consider. For one, most of our homes here are not fully air conditioned, so air flow is a primary concern. Then, seeing as we live in one of the most stunning parts of the world, we want to let in as much beauty as possible. But most importantly, especially in these times, we must seriously consider security and hurricane protection.

Yep, it can be quite tricky taking all these factors into consideration.  

So, as I look at the new windows, I wonder about the homeowners’ decision-making process. 

How did they balance the need for fresh air and the desire for a beautiful view with the now pressing need for security/protection?

How did they choose which was the right window for them?

It makes me think about the windows we choose to view our lives.

As a Christian, my window to the world is largely influenced by my faith in God. I’ve given over ownership to Him, and He gets to make the decisions. But, I’m still responsible for walking in obedience to Him.

For example, for several years, I’ve had Philippians 4:8 plastered on my wall, in clear view, as a constant reminder of the peace that God offers if I look through this window.

Yet, many times I choose not to sit at that window. Rather, I grumble and complain and nit-pick, if you will. It’s stifling to be honest… doesn’t give me a good view of the world and leaves me open to many attacks on my peace and contentment.

But recently, God has been calling me to come back to the window. To sit and view life through Philippians 4:8. To trust that as Homeowner he has made the best decision.

And now, as windows are holding more and more of my interest, I’m beginning to fully appreciate the importance of choosing the window to my life.

Let me offer you two simple examples.

Windowpane 1

About a month ago, I came down with the flu. I hadn’t had the flu in a long time, and this one was bad. I felt horrible. What’s even worse, my daughter had it, too. We were miserable… none to help the other.

Each day I would pray and hope that tomorrow I would feel better, and for well over a week each new day brought not better but a different flavor of bad.

One day, as we sat by the window feeling rather sorry for ourselves, I suggested to my daughter that perhaps we could paint a picture… you know, to brighten up our mood a bit.

‘What shall we paint?’, she asked.

And I replied, ‘What we see through the window.’ It was at that time that I looked up and focused on what I saw through the window. Well, given my then present state of mind, the broken branches, and scars of a hurricane bashed island seemed to loom larger than life. It seemed like a hopeless venture.

But then, I remembered my little window. The one I’m choosing to view my life. My Philippians 4:8.

‘Well’, I said, seeing the look of discouragement on her face, ‘we can focus on the bright blue of the sky, the sparkling blue sea and the green of the hills. Let’s just focus on the good parts. There’s beauty there.’

Peace.

Windowpane 2

I wear a sparkly window around my neck. Well, it’s not really a window, but it could look like one, and to me it has come to represent the window I’m choosing to sit next to in this season of my life.  

It was a gift. A gift I didn’t really want. A gift I thought was too extravagant. In fact, I had to bite my tongue from saying what I really wanted to say when my husband presented it to me.

But, I soon realized that rather than focusing on the expense of the gift, I could instead focus on my sweet husband’s desire to bless his wife. I could ‘Philippians 4:8’ it.

Contentment.

It’s just like the Homeowner promised, the window works remarkably well. In great matters or small… my God is still in control, and I can rest in Him.

So, I choose to keep wearing my new shiny pendant as a reminder that no matter what is happening on the outside, life is fresher, the view is better, and I’m protected from a horde of negative emotions and interactions when I keep Philippians 4:8 as my window.

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What about you?

How is your window affecting your life? 

Is your attention drawn to the brokenness or the beauty that surrounds you? 

Are you focusing on what you have or on what you don’t have? 

Is your window framed with gratitude or entitlement? 

Which window have you chosen to sit next to today?

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Why Your Window Is Important to Your Life