REARVIEW MIRROR GRATITUDE

 It has been almost two years since I have regularly blogged.  After the challenges I faced in 2018 with my eyes and then in 2019 with my snowmobile accident, it took a long time for me recoup and to appreciate, in the depth of my being, the tender care God had granted me. 

    ~  When I was at the end of my abilities and needed to depend on others occasionally for sight, shopping or even at times for putting on my socks, God was showing me that He was near with a fierce love. 

    ~ When I was frustrated at myself and/or my condition, God brought compassionate visitors who shared with me insight into how to ask for what I needed, to better give up control of what I had no control over, to add the word "yet" to the end of my sentence when I would say, "I can't do this", and to remind me that vulnerability is courageous.

~  When I could not attend church services, I did less and God spoke more. 

For most of the two years of recuperation, I sat in a comfy chair and visited with friends and family when they stopped by.  During those visits, two symbols that were on the shelf opposite my chair, spoke to me ~ a small pot of yellow flowers that brought me such joy and a prayer card that centered me on God's mercy.   Although I wasn't able to give much joy nor mercy to my visitors, they showered me with both!  Not only that, our "Father who sees in secret" knows our hearts ~ yours and mine.  He knew that I yearned not only to be whole but to be His servant of mercy and joy to those around me.  He held me close to His grace for over two years until I could once again sense His loving embrace. 

Your 2020 may have challenged you in ways beyond what you thought you could endure.  Quite possibly your trials may still continue today.    

In the midst of mine, had I been asked if I could imagine a time when I would be able to look back at those years with gratitude, I would have said that would be impossible.   

But here’s the thing.  Now, in the rearview mirror, I have the ability to see that God's grace  surrounded me when I was at my lowest.  Back then I didn't know how things would turn out but God knew the whole story.  He could see far enough around the bend to know that hope, healing, strength, endurance and health were up ahead for me. 

I certainly can't say everything in your life or in mine will turn out as this did for me.  What I say wholeheartedly is that I have come out of a storm and I feel grateful for the One who knew the whole story and stood with me until I was able to see His grace through it all.  I even can say I am grateful it happened because God broke down my walls and softened by heart.  He has shown me His mercy though so many people.  My life will forever be changed.  The yellow flowers that brought me joy and the prayer card that reminded me to trust Jesus because He will be merciful were not only symbols of a trying time back then; they are gifts for today.   

I trust with a hopeful heart that you will experience the same as you look at 2020 in your rearview mirror.  

Thanks for reading. 

#RearviewMirrorPointOfView #Gratitude #HisGrace #2020Pondering #CarmodyStateOfMind