Imagine a room with three windows. Walk toward one. As you open the blinds and glance through the window, you notice your past. You had expected to see a normal day: the birds outside, maybe a rabbit, a light drizzle, a picnic table in the back. But you saw faces, felt feelings, heard songs, and smelled the fragrance from years ago.

Imagine backing up and moving toward your next window. This one doesn’t allow you to see outside. The screen reflects your face. You see yourself. You notice the now, the present. You’re glancing at the countenance of who you are.

 You take a few steps back and walk to window three. You slowly, slowly, slowly – unsure of what you might notice – open the window. There you see what you assume is your future. You observe yourself older, walking with a few people you assume are friends.

 Think now about the three windows. Through which window would you prefer to continue glancing? Which scenes bring fear, pain, joy, anger, hope, healing? Which view conveys caution or courage or compassion? Why?

 A visit to the past can motivate us toward anger and resentment. Or joy and celebration. Or a mixture of each extreme. Or maybe very little – if we’ve chosen to forget days of pain. The same for the now – we can celebrate the present or seek to deny the moments of now. And for the future we can fear entering new land or we can anticipate an adventure of wonder.

 Take time to glance out the windows.

 Remember the past. Forgive and be forgiven. Notice the pain and be healed. Smile.

 Discern the present. Stare through incorrect assumptions and improper perceptions. See you. Believe in the Creator who made you, the Father who loves you. Accept the face looking back and make a choice. Smile at yourself.

 Dream of the future. Good dreams. Big dreams. Impossible dreams. Dream with faith, anticipation, potential, and an eternal family. And, make the choice again: smile.

 As you depart and leave the windows, remember what you noticed.