Second Chances, and 3rd, 4th…
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
(I know I have posted this verse more than once recently, but I really love the Amplified version with the literal expanded translation. It is my hope that it will speak to you in a way that brings comfort to your soul the way it does mine.)
Sitting in my living room with a cuddly puppy at my side and a cool breeze gently entering my home reminds me that Autumn is quickly approaching. The leaves are beginning to change on our neighborhood trees and there is dew on the grass signaling the end of summer. The change of seasons always meets me with mixed emotions. I honestly love the transition from one season to the next but I am never quite sure I am ready to say goodbye to the season we are in. Especially Summer!! However, I do love the cool, crisp mornings, the beautiful leaves, and the cool evenings that are perfect for gathering around a bonfire as the sun sets earlier with each coming day.
Our kids started school last week and thankfully they seem to love their teachers and classes. We were not ready for back-to-school as we have really enjoyed this summer. Aside from baseball and softball in the early part of the summer, it has been relatively low key for our family, which I think we all enjoyed for the most part. The kids missed their friends quite a bit, and while they did have a few play dates here and there I know they craved the socialization that school offers them. I have been incapacitated on and off for a good portion of the summer, so the occasional times we were able to get out and play with friends were coveted this summer. Good friends fill our souls so we took full advantage of each opportunity to be with friends. We spent time together as a family, learned a lot about being grateful for all we have been given, and for our community of supporters who graciously love on us without conditions.
With the kids at school and Darek at work I have had a lot of uninterrupted time to rest, recover, and think. One lesson I have quickly learned (and continue to work on) is the need to guard my thoughts. Too much time in solitude can open doors to thoughts that are unproductive and downright dangerous to our health. We are unfortunately good at spiraling into destructive thought patterns and I have found that it not only negatively affects the people around us, but it causes unnecessary stress and discontentment in our lives. Trusting God with the outcomes in our lives is not merely a cliche’ or casual phrase.
Truly trusting God means keeping BOTH feet walking in faith especially when the difficulties in life arise. One foot in and one foot out leads to confusion and doubt.
I once heard an analogy that we refer to as “Crabs in a Bucket.” If you put one crab in a bucket it can eventually find a way to pull itself up and climb out to safety, but if you place more than one crab in a bucket they will continually pull each other back down in their efforts to climb out. This exemplifies the need to surround ourselves with positive people who want to see us succeed and excel instead of the doubters who will only aid in keeping us in the metaphorical bucket of negative. Along this journey I have discovered that there is a lot of negative information available, even in well-meaning “support groups.” Please know that if you find yourself stuck in a bucket with other crabs, there is always hope and there IS a way out!
We serve a God of SECOND CHANCES, and THIRD CHANCES, and FOURTH CHANCES, and on and on.
He sent us the perfect gift of love through Jesus and all we have to do is receive it. You may not be fighting the same battles we are, but everyone has their “thing.” If you are not currently challenged by life, there will come a point that you will be. That is reality.
God is always good!
He is always FOR YOU! No matter how difficult the road gets or how lonely you feel, God is with you. He wants you to take that next chance and do something great with your life. Allow your experiences to change you for good! Why not just go for it?
Thank God for Second Chances, and Third, Fourth…
