Grit

  Year 8-Day 224: Today, I am grateful for grit.

Grit is word seldom used these days. The truth is, we need more grit. 

True grit is a combination of courage, bravery, spirit, strength of will, still, fortitude, hardiness, determination, tenacity, endurance and perseverance. Someone with grit is not afraid of hard work and difficult tasks.Grit doesn't give.

Joseph and Noah are two of my favorite people from the Old Testament. They both showed grit when people were laughing at them or putting them down. Most would have given up, but Joseph and Noah pressed on. Their faithfulness was rewarded. 

Grit is the thing that makes us keep going when it doesn't make sense. 

We were never told the road would be easy. Only that it would be worth it. 

"Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."-Colossians 1:9-12

Today, I am grateful for grit.

Firstborn

 Year 8-Day 223: Today, I am grateful for Chase.

My first born is twenty-nine today. How can that be possible? I remember the night he was born. I remember the long hours that led up to the miracle. I remember the way he would study the world around him with a curious mind and an intensity that should have given us clues about his future and the man he would grow up to be. 

He always asked big questions... hard questions... beyond his years about God, the stars and dinosaurs. He would line up his cars and tie them together with strings long before his high school physics Rube Goldberg assignment. 

He is programmed for critical thinking and enjoys problem solving. He is equally capable of putting pen to paper with ease. Okay, he uses a computer, but you know what I mean. He never tires of learning new things, and remembers most of what he learns.

He has always loved animals... big and small. A fluffy, senior Rottweiler named Penny has him wrapped around her paw. I love that he (and Emma) rescued an older dog from the local shelter. Of course, I am a firm believer that our pets rescue us right back. Penny looks at him with adoration and I can't help but smile. He is so much like his Dad. 

He loves his wife with his whole heart and treasures their days together. Being a husband has added a new dimension to his personality and we can't help but smile. 

I am grateful God placed him in our arms and protected him from our inexperience as parents. I am grateful for the many who loved him with us and helped him grow. Birthday are a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for the many blessings on our lives. 

Today, I am grateful for Chase.

Courage

 Year 8-Day 222: Today, I am grateful for courage.

Most of us don't think of ourselves as courageous. Courage rises when love conquers fear. The courageous are not fearless. They taste the fear, but do not let it rule in their hearts and lives. 

We see courage in our soldiers, police, firefighters and healthcare workers, but many would not describe themselves as brave. They want the world to be better, safer and healthier. They offer their lives as living sacrifices every day as they stand in the gaps, advocating and seeking justice for those who have no heroes to defend them. 

This year, as schools across the nation are making decisions to open or remain closed, our educators are on the front lines, too. The world as our children have known it has changed in what seems like a heartbeat. Some parents will become their children's educators as each family decides what is best for their family. CS Lewis has a simple quote that struck the right chord with today:

"Courage, dear heart." -CS Lewis

Simple words. Encouraging words. We all need encouragement these days. 

Everyone these days is making hard choices. Be kind. Everyone is faced with new challenges. Offer grace. Everyone is testing new waters. Be forgiving. Everyone needs a little courage. Let love conquer fear.  

This scripture hits the mark perfectly:

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” -Deuteronomy 31:6

Today, I am grateful for courage.

No Water In The Boat

 

Year 8-Day 221: Today, I am grateful there is no water in the boat. 

"Ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down."

That is certainly a good message for these times. 

Each morning, we wake up to a new day... a fresh start... and a clean slate. Yesterday's mess ups and struggles may impact today, but much of that is a reflection of the power we give yesterdays failures. Do we let yesterday define us or refine us? 

I promise you, our God is looking for us to make revisions and refinements. He doesn't define us by who we were before we accepted His love and grace into our lives. He longs for us to grow wiser and do better. Some of our best refinements come from the times we really blow it. His mercy and forgiveness is deep and wide.

How many days do I look at the troubled waters around me... and in my own anxious moments... invite water into my own boat? Nervously rocking back and forth, the water slips into the boat. The water isn't that noticeable at first, but my feet get wet. I keep rocking. Fear escalates and so does discomfort. The back and forth motion gets bigger and more dangerous. I am prone to motion sickness, too. Ugh! Pure misery.

How do we keep the water out? The answer is one of my favorite passages:

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” -Psalm 46:10

I have the first part of this scripture over my kitchen sink. The reminder to "Be still and know." is exactly what we need to do. When fear would have us frantic in the boat, because of a storm or rough seas, we are instructed to "be still". Practice the pause. Pray. Practice patience. Peek into the scriptures to perceive God's heart. 

Many question how God can love us and allow these turbulent times. The rest of his creation is driven by instinct and natural desires. He made us in "His image" so that we have the unique power to choose Him or reject him. He longs for us to love Him back.                          

My verse of the day is a lovely compliment. 

"“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." -Luke 12:6-7

We matter to our Lord and King. He longs for us to trust him with our whole hearts. When it feels like there is "water in the boat", we can ask, "How did it get there"? Too many times, the discomfort and sinking feeling is a direct result of my own lack of trust or disobedience. 

Yes, bad things can and do happen to all of us. God didn't promise us exemption, but he promised we never need to feel alone or isolated. When the wind is whipping and the boat is rocking... we can stay safe and dry. Fear can interrupt us, keeping us from living out our best lives. 

We can trust His goodness and His care. As CS Lewis wrote so poetically: "He isn't always "safe" but he is always good." 

Our God is fierce. Remember the rest of Psalm 46:10? "I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” He is clear about his expectations. 

Dad always said, "The grist mill wheels of God's judgment grinds slowly but infinitely fine." We can't outsmart God or his commandments. We can be still and know that he has the hairs on our heads counted and knows when even one sparrow falls. His attention to detail is rooted in omniscience. He is omnipotent. And, perhaps my favorite trait... He is omnipresent. 

Omnipresent means he is in the boat with us. No need for water in the boat. And, if it seems the boat is sinking... our Savior walks on water. 

Today, I am grateful there is no water in the boat. 

Experience

 Year 8-Day 221: Today, I am grateful for experience.

Experience doesn't always come easy or without bumps and bruises. Mark Twain says it well:

"Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions." -Mark Twain

What a true statement. Can we grow old and wise with flawless grace? For most, there are struggles along the way. Those trials help mold us in way a smooth path never would. 

"Indeed, we all make many mistakes." James 3:2a

The passage goes on to speak about learning self control, including the tongue. The tongue does get us into trouble. Learning to harness its power take practice. Peace comes to those who manage to do that very thing. 

"Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent." -Psalm 4:4 

They say practice makes perfect, but practice, also, takes time.

Today, I am grateful for experience. 

S'More

Year 8-Day 220: Today, I am grateful for S'mores.

Friday night traditions often include a fire and s'mores. We love our traditions. Tonight, the temperature was just right for both. 

S'mores require a graham cracker, a toasted marshmallow and Hershey's chocolate. 

It is a perfect little desert sandwich. It makes me wonder who came up with the idea? Some Mom on a family camping trip? I tried to research it. It has been around a long time, but it's history is a mystery. 

Our Ryan and Anna insist that Reese's Peanut Butter cup is a great substitute for the chocolate bar. I would certainly give that variation a try. A s'more is more than a dessert, it is fun. It is as much about the fire and the fellowship as it is about the food. 

Graham crackers are good on their own. So are toasted marshmallows. Chocolate, I believe, was inspired by angels. On their own, they are delicious. Put them together... suddenly they are MORE. The sum is more than the parts. 

Is our God is like a s'more? The Holy Trinity... Father, Son & Holy Spirit... HE is so much more that we can imagine or truly understand.  I see a children's lesson in the making. The Graham Cracker holds it all together like the Father. The Holy Spirit... warm and sweet... and then before you know it, it is everywhere. The chocolate is obviously a food directly from heaven. Jesus experienced life in human skin, the bitter and the sweet. And when we were at our worst, His heart melted for us with unconditional love and sacrifice. 

The scriptures tell us that our "God is more". 

"God is more glorious than the moon; he shines brighter than the stars." -Job 25:5

He is more.

Today, I am grateful for S'mores.  

Safer In His Hands

Year 8-Day 219: Today, I am grateful to be safer in His hand. 

"If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in his hand but would be safer in mine?" -Elizabeth Elliot

Read that quote again; read it until it sinks into your soul.

Surrender requires a decision. Surrender requires us to give up control to the one who holds all of our tomorrows. Why is that so hard at times? He actually holds the whole world in His hands, as the children's song taught us. Yet... I fight to keep control over my little corner. Do I think I can do it better? 

"In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also." -Psalm 95:4

The ocean deep and the mountain heights are not unknown to him. Neither are my troubles, trials and concerns. He knows us from head to toe. Learning to listen and learning to let Him lead requires us leaning into His goodness and grace. It is more than lip service. It is giving up our own agendas to explore the adventures He has in store for our lives. 

We still fight him at times... at least, I do. There is a freedom in letting go that changes us from the inside out. We can trust His hand and His heart. 

Elizabeth Elliot returned to the Amazon after her husband and his friends were murdered by the people very people with whom they were determined to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus. I've often wondered how she did it. Not only did she return as a widow with small children, she never lost sight of the mission her husband help write on her heart. 

People thought her nuts, but she knew she would be safer in His hand than choosing her own path. Her decision and her witness will echo into eternity.  

Today, I am grateful to be safer in His hand.