As I walk out this new season of life, I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on seasons past…and even past “versions” of me. I have realized I am constantly transforming. When I acknowledge that, it gives me a lot more grace with myself. My personality is such that I am always wondering what I’ve done wrong when things don’t go well. When relationships fail, I always wonder what I did to cause it…but what I’m seeing is that, though God does want me to take responsibility for my own actions, I don’t need to pretend that others never do wrong too.
When I am walking with people and a break or shift of some sort occurs, I am not solely to blame…and sometimes nobody is to blame. Sometimes, people are temporary in our lives and others are for the long haul. That’s ok.
I guess what I’m getting at is…when I reflect on my life through the eyes of noticing transformation, then I have made such large strides…I bet when you reflect on your own life, you’d notice the same thing.
I know as far as I’m concerned, I need to give myself a break. I’m not a terrible person. I’m a growing person. I make mistakes, I own up to them and I grow. Those are all good qualities. I had an epiphany this week that I have allowed other’s opinions of me to make me feel less than…but I refuse to do that any longer. When I reflect on time with those people, I am realizing that they too have done a lot of wrong. They are far from perfect, and I have no reason to feel shame.
We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. ALL of us. And we are all, yes all, a work in progress.
Now, when I look back, it’s with a lens of accomplishment. I have come a long way. I have grown so much. When you look at your life, can you see it too? Friend, you have walked through so many seasons. You have been hurt and healed…seen success and failure…had joy and pain…and you have been transforming, all the while. Isn’t it beautiful?!
Let’s take a minute today and rejoice! Rejoice in growth!! Rejoice in every faithful step you’ve taken with God! Rejoice in the gift of today! Rejoice just to rejoice!!
It’s time to shake off the disappointment of yesterday. It’s time to stop worrying about tomorrow. It’s time to be here and now. Present. To be grateful that today, all of your needs are met. Today, you don’t need for anything life altering. Today, you have food and clothes, air conditioning and a warm bed, family and friends…when you start to find gratitude for all the every day things, it can change your entire attitude.
It’s a wonderful practice. When I used to drive my kids to school every morning, I would thank God for all of the basics and all extravagances. It really brightens your day when you can find thankfulness in every little thing.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:4-7
365 Days in the Presence 