There are many things that we experience in life that stick. Here is my shortlist for today.
1. The feeling of being forgiven when we know very well, we didn’t deserve it.
2. Good advice which has been given and lived out in our life. Out of this is born a life lesson that hopefully will stick with us through all the seasons of life.
3. A painful experience or memory can stick around. The question and challenge I suppose is how much we will focus on it and swim in it. We have to face it, feel all the emotions, and respond wisely, but it is doubtful we will ever fully forget.
4. I was thinking that the last batch of cookies I baked could stick with me in ways I do not like! This reminds me of a deeper truth - bad decisions often stick around. The consequences, do not go away. We have to learn to navigate things we dearly wish we did not have to.
5. Precious memories of friends and families stay with us, as do kindnesses shown to us, especially when we were not in a position to reciprocate.
There is more we could add to this list. What would you add?
I am thankful for all that I can lay at our Father’s feet daily. Burdens and memories, bad decisions - all of it I can lay down before Him. He can sort through the messes and the grief of our life and for this I am very thankful.
Soon, it will be Easter. The older I get, the more precious this celebration is to me. I know beyond all things that I am lost without my Savior. He is my strength and my constant company. He calms my racing thoughts. He points me in the way I should go. He speaks to me - and so much more.
The bad or hard things of this life can trip us up, but when you have the Good Shepherd standing right there, He is present to brush us off and help us take the next step. He is even willing to give us courage for it.
“ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” Psalm 23:1
Dear Father,
Thank you for the good and the difficult that is on my list. You love me and guide me every day, through the great days and the not-so-great ones You are always present.
In Jesus Name,
Amen