grat•i•tude/ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/
The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Have you ever taken a moment to think back on your life? I don’t know about you, but when I do I feel blessed. Each one of our lives are marked by a series of events- some fortunate, others not so much.
At the age of 18, I thought I had it all going on. I had a brand new car, some money in my bank account, and I had been accepted to every college that I applied for. The decision to pick which one wasn’t hard at all. I was offered a full ride for one year based on my 4.0 grade point average, to which I obliged. I remember walking on campus on my first day and just taking it all in. I remember how peaceful it was to sit in the courtyard with the sun on my face, full of ambition and a desire to learn.
That same summer I started dating a guy. I was excited; It was my first real relationship and after many years of suffering from low self-esteem, I thought that I would finally find “myself”. Right off the bat there were warning signs, but in my naivety, I decided that I would give it a shot anyway. Five months into my fully paid year, I decided to do a trade program and take a break from school. This was the beginning of a downward spiral in my life. I endured abuse from that man- both physically and emotionally for six years. One could say that I wallowed in regret for many years to come after that. I felt like I was a failure because I didn’t finish what I had started. Moreover, the scars that I was left with after dealing with the abuse were at times too much to bear.
I can stand before you today and say that I now have an attitude of gratitude. I am thankful for my life. That relationship was designed by Satan to take my life, however, I am still standing. I am thankful for my failures because they taught me how to succeed. Most of all I am thankful for grace because without it,I wouldn’t be here.
Whatever your situation is today, I challenge you to give it to God and thank Him for the change that is yet to come. God orders each and everyone one of our steps. No matter how many detours we take, He is there with open arms ready to help us get back on track. Allow Him to take away the stone from where you lay spiritually dead in your life and fill you with His power and love.
John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me”.
Father in the name of Jesus, I pray for the person reading this right now. Lord I pray that you will do a new thing in their life today. Restore, take away that which is not of you and replace it with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord where we have fallen short, You have met us with your mercy. In Jesus name we pray , Amen.
Cathedral of New Beginnings 