Which Way Will You Go?

I spent so many years wishing things were different.

Sometimes, wishing and hoping for a better life was appropriate and helped me survive and grow.

But, somewhere along the way, I became so "only then" focused that I missed the beauty of the wonderful, messy, and sometimes difficult present moment.

Being "only then" focused prevents us from being grateful for the here and now.

Even when the here and now isn't quite how we want it to be.

I realize now that I would only have a grateful heart when things worked out as planned.

I would only praise God when my prayers were answered, or the storms were calmed.

We want an unconditional, grace-filled relationship with God, in which He will love us and always be there, no matter what we do. God mercifully loves us and will never forsake us, and we sure do appreciate that.

But what about how we treat God?

I must confess that I have much more of a conditional agreement with God than I realized.

I'll praise God when this problem goes away.

I'll shout my "Look at what God did" stories, but only when they have happy endings.

I'll be grateful when God gives me what I want.

Gosh, that is some truth that is hard to write and read.

I fear I am more like a narcissistic teen than I realized.

Gimme gimme.

Me. Me. Me.

Yikes.

I don't want to live that way anymore.

It's time to grow up and stop living an "Only Then" life.

I want to be grateful for every moment and give God the same unconditional, grace-filled, merciful love that He has so graciously given me.

So here's what I'm thinking.

We have two paths in front of us.

One path is called Woe is Me.

This path is covered with thorns and prickles of whining, complaining, and constant craving for something different or better. The ground is slippery and covered with gloom, despair, and tangled roots of pessimism and selfishness.

The other path is called Growth Of Gratitude.

This path is covered with ups and downs and glimmers of bright light amidst the dark parts. While the ground is safe and secure, there are unexpected twists, turns, hills, and valleys. But right after some of the scary and arduous parts, there are some breathtaking views. There are many benches where you can sit, look around, and take it all in.

Which path will you take?

Which way will you go?

I suggest we take the Growth of Gratitude path and spend our time expressing appreciation for every step we get to take.

With every disappointment, hurt, misfortune, or sorrow, we can look for the light and hope amidst the pain and frustration, choose the path of gratitude, and grow to love God even more than we already do.

Thank You, God, for this beautiful life you have given us.

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Psalm 100: 4-5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.