So Very Thankful

Times are surely changing! This world is in a hot mess right now, temperature wise and otherwise.

I have finally had a chance to get in a few rides recently that were much needed and provided time for quite a bit of deep thinking and soul searching. I honestly can’t believe the mess we’re finding ourselves in. It’s not shocking due to the fact God has slowly been removed from so many places, but I never thought I would see it this bad in my lifetime. I’m not getting into the politics of this mess or what I feel the end goal is, but I will say that I hope and pray people are waking up and getting their house in order spiritually.

Now is not the time to take things for granted that have always been a certain way; jobs, food, housing, the list goes on. This is not just a problem in America, it is worldwide! We all need to be doing our part to ensure our families are taken care of. I have pretty much always tried to take care of myself which I think I’ve rambled about before. There have also been times when I’ve allowed myself to admit I may need help with some things and opened myself up for being let down if/when that help didn’t come. Please be sure you’re helping those in need in whatever way you can.

I enjoy trying to do things that will allow me to in turn help family/friends, that’s how I was raised thankfully. If someone needs help, you help. Sadly not everyone was raised that way or even if they were, not everyone feels that way. I’ve come to the point in my life where I will continue to do what I can. If there’s something I’m not sure I can do, I will try. If I fail that’s ok too. I know that as long as I try and I do my best that’s what matters. The world and those who are of the world may see failure as a negative but I see it as a learning experience. I know my God will love me just the same and if He is with me then it’s ok if others are not. I’ve known people that enjoy seeing others fail and sometimes mock them and even use that failure to try and make them think God’s not with them or maybe even doesn’t exist. I will never feel that way. My God is real, He’s alive, and He’s with me every single day. I fail Him, but He never fails me. That is a truth I will never deny for anyone. Last week hubby and I rode together and had a “scary” moment and I can honestly say I spoke out loud on that ride, “Thank you Jesus, I know that was all you.” He never leaves our side. I say a prayer of protection before every ride and He’s always brought me back home safely.

I recently saw a devotional on a YouTube channel I follow. She said,” Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.” (The scripture she was referring to is in 1 Corinthians). In today’s society, it seems a large part of the population does feel/think that everything is permissible and if you don’t agree you’re ridiculed and labeled as prejudice or any other number of negative labels. Just because this world says it’s ok, doesn’t mean it is. Just because you CAN do it, doesn’t mean you should.

When I look back to my childhood and how I grew up it makes me very thankful I was raised the way I was. I would LOVE to be able to live the same way now. Technology has ruined so much and I try very hard to ensure when I have my grandchildren, they experience some of the things I did growing up. Playing outside, spending time in nature, with animals, going for walks in the woods, and enjoying the beauty that God provides us with are important experiences to have. Our children and grandchildren need to experience being “unplugged.” The world will try to teach them to depend on others, they need to depend on God and know that only through Him can we ever truly succeed and find peace. If there’s no peace in someone’s life, my bet is God isn’t real to them.

The only way I’ve ever experienced peace was by walking with Him. Having a true relationship with Jesus Christ is the only path to peace. Are my days always happy and joyful because I have a relationship with Jesus? No they’re not, and He never said they would be. I always know that I can go to Him and find peace though, even in the midst of pain or sorrow, anger or despair. Do not allow other people to steal your joy or try to convince you He is not alive and well and in control. We may not understand what He is doing or why He hasn’t just come back yet, but it’s not for us to know. We’re simply to have faith, to believe, to have total trust in Him, and to share that with everyone we know. I am truly thankful for my relationship with Him and pray if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior that you earnestly seek Him with your whole heart. You won’t regret it.