Hmm, here it is three weeks into the new year and I had intended to write something weekly but missed last week. Oh, well.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where God is leading me and I wonder often if I’m even in the same ballpark in regards to where I think I am and where God wants me to be. Since my last post, the preference forms have been turned in (both mine and the SPRC’s) and I’ve had a meeting with my District Superintendent, we’ve had an earthquake and follow-up tremors in Haiti, floods in California, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m focusing on the wrong things.
I had a bit of a scare/wake-up call during Christmas – my blood sugar is out of whack. I’ve got it under control with diet and exercise but still need to see a doctor (no health insurance). Now I’ve fasted before and know how to give up things for a time but realizing that this is more “permanent” is different (and harder). But it reminds me of the second (and third and fourth) chances that God gives us all the time. I can choose to get angry and wonder why God would allow this to happen to me – one of His chosen and called (yeah, right ;-)) – or I can just man up to the fact that this situation, as my dad says, took me 50 years to get myself into.
I see the same thing on a larger scale in the world. I’m hearing stories from Haiti where the people are praising God in the midst of their storm and I have a friend whose wife, Catherine, is in the hospital because of complications from her pregnancy and just reading her CaringBridge journal updates is moving me to tears – she is showing so much grace and faith! The Haitians and Catherine both have reason – far more than I – to complain but yet they choose to praise God. And I can come up with more examples of this.
And so the questions again, “Am I focused on the wrong things?”. Am I worrying about the future and not praying more about the present? Am I holding a pity party when I could be basking in praising the One who gives me life? I am ever thankful that God gives us another chance – that’s grace enough for me. I trust that I don’t waste more time.
“God of Second Chances, give us the grace to praise You in the storm! We love to complain and grumble and You love us anyway! Show us the choices that bring life and joy and let us choose them instead of those that bring death and sorrow. In Jesus’ Name, Hallelujah and Amen!”
