An Attitude of Gratitude: Second Chances…And Third…And Fourth

In years past, I have been committed to using the month of November as a time to express thanks.  The very first year of the blog I extended an invitation to friends and family members to write about things that they were thankful for.  And last year Bible Study Brother took over and gave written roses to people who had made a difference in his life.  Writing took a major back seat in my life this year, but the good Lord pulled especially hard on my heart today. 

The theme for this year’s November blogs will be “An Attitude of Gratitude.”  In the midst of the MOST challenging year of my life, God has given me so much to be thankful for.  Even when I cannot see it.  Even on the days when it does not feel like it.  My faith has been challenged and tested in ways that I could not have imagined.  It has been stretched…pulled…stomped on…set on fire.  I think you get the point that I am trying to make.  Back in September, I thought I was ready to hold up the blood-stained banner again.  I wanted to get back on the blogging horse and ride it into battle.  Well, that boost lasted for three days.  Then I was back in rut and not even trying to get out.

People talk about ruts like they are a bad thing.  They make them sound uncomfortable.  They make them seem trashy.  But let me tell you.  I created a pretty awesome rut for myself…lol.  Surrounded by potato chips and dip and absorbing all the murder mystery shows that I could get my hands on.  I mean I have been truly enthralled by the depravity going on in the world.  Binge watching episode after episode and season after season.

I was talking to my therapist about how depressed I have been lately.  I had hit that high in September.  I thought I was on the right road.  What could I possibly be doing wrong???  He reminded me of the things that I had focused on in August.  Regular exercise, regular writing, regular connection with others, regular Bible study.  When I focused on hitting those goals, I did not have time to burrow into my rut.  He then gently told me that I probably needed to give the murder mystery shows a rest. 

Now I clearly heard everything that he told me.  I heard it loud and clear.  And went right home into my rut. WHAT????  I already told you that it was comfortable.  No muss.  No fuss.  A simple life.  The other things required too much effort.  But I have had to get out of that rut….again.  For some reason, God keeps giving me another chance.

On today, I am thankful that He has been a God of second, third, fourth, fifth…soooo many chances, in my life.  And I have to stop taking His love and care for granted.  I cannot lie.  This assignment to find gratitude is not easy for me in my current season.  But it’s necessary.  Not just for me.  For you as well.  You may not be in a rut.  So this message probably is not for you.  But if you are in a rut, peep your head out over the edge.  Getting out may be difficult for us, but it will certainly be worth it.    #wepreach