grateful

Fifteen months ago, I set out on a journey into “the unknown.” By that, I mean I had no idea what the ultimate purpose would look like. I drove for three weeks from Washington state to Auburn, Alabama, stopping in small college towns, major cities and friends’ homes along the way. Six months later I moved into my new home in Auburn, Alabama.

I am 72 years old and feel as if I am healthy and strong with much to still give. I also believe that God is not finished growing me. I am learning to be a hunter. It is less about the kill which in my case, seldom happens. It is more about the experience: the smells, the quiet, the beauty and the sounds. It is being left along with your thoughts and intersecting those thoughts with God’s thoughts. One day, I sat in my stand positioned in a tree and took in the aforementioned sights and sounds. As I sat there, I had a conversation with God and put it this way: “God I know this isn’t heaven, but I am beginning to believe it is. Will you do whatever it takes to reset my focus so that my longing would be for You alone and my thoughts would be toward You, alone.”

As a follower of Jesus, I often hear the word, “Sanctification.” In a nutshell it means to be set apart to God and transformed into looking more like Jesus. We are most fearful when we give-up our rights. In a way, asking God to “Sanctify” me is giving up control of my rights and trusting Him to reveal Himself in ways that would not happen while holding on to those rights. And so, I said, “Whatever it takes, I want you more than I want my rights, my dreams, my greatest longings.”

I love how God takes us seriously. I believe He has taken me seriously and began to grow me, deeply and again.

–I left behind people I have given most of my life to. I have gained precious friends here.

–I was diagnosed with cancer. I am now cancer free and gained many friends called “DOCTOR.”

–I left a wonderful church back it Puyallup, WA, Gospel Life. I am a member of Lakeview Baptist Church that believes in Missions, Discipleship, and amazing Teaching along with phenomenal Worship.

–I had 18 people die over a two-month period. I was, even from here, able to walk with many of their families through their grieving process.

–I left five men I had been doing life with for 50 years. I have a small group here. Grateful for Ralph, Hal, and Robert. Thank you!

–I “happened” upon a most gruesome accident with a fatality one morning. VERY Traumatic.

I was able to create a way to maintain the victims dignity, embrace a number of people standing close by and pray with them and for them. Within 40 hours it broke me. I have seen death and horrific situations, but this one crushed me. AND my friend saw it and he knew it and walked over to me and said nothing. Priceless. He did not try to fix me. His presence was enough and his silence, healing.

These are but a few of the examples of how God will take us seriously and yet, He will not leave us alone. He will ALWAYS step in and step up with grace undeserved and love overflowing. HE will not replace the others in your life, but He will be there through others. He will grow us and it “feels” so good.

Gratitude is an overflow of a sense of being treated better than you deserve.” John Piper