So You're Telling Me There's A Chance?!

There’s been a shift in my attitude and approach of everyday life since being back home from Nicaragua this past Fall.  I find that I’m enjoying each day more than I had the previous year and a half.  I realize I was in a position of holding onto and wishing things had happened…than I had hoped.  IF ONLY…thoughts.  For so long I've had the negative approach of just not wanting to be here.  In a way, I sort of put my own self and mind in the dry desert time/season, which I’ve mentioned before.

Many people live in this place/mindset…it’s all they’ve ever known.  You’re wishing and just a drop of hope for something else.  Many people can’t control the environment or circumstances they’ve grown up in or been given.  That’s…hard and life.  It seems everyone around you has a negative outlook on life and there's nothing but pain.  Have you ever found yourself having a difficult time of being satisfied with wherever you’re at in life?

Wherever you’re at, the mindset is Huge.  We like instant…everything.  Mind over matter.  Yet, most of us can agree that many times in our lives we say through gritted teeth “Help me Jesus”.   Instead of allowing circumstances, drama, death, bitterness, sickness, and more dictate your feelings…you live based on knowing Who You Are.  You’re Core.  So, everyday is a blessing no matter what happens. Again, “Help me Jesus”.

Many of you may be thinking that I’ve lost my mind.  How can someone live with this mindset when so much oppression and negativity is all around them?

In Nicaragua I had an amazing and detailed dream.  In the dream, I was with my team somewhere in the country in a village/town.  We came across a woman, we talked with her a little bit, and she left.  A child then came to us, we played with them for a little bit, and they left.  Finally, a family appeared and we communicated with them some, and then they left.  We were helping all with some of the basics.  At the end of all 3 different groups, there was a sense of dissatisfaction.  It was an attitude of “this is nice, but it’s not what we wanted”.   We were so eager to see the end result, that we kind of missed the “in-between”.

I woke up and was staring off trying to figure out why I had seen all of this.  Then, HE reminded me of John 21: 15-23.  Jesus in this scripture is asking the disciple named Peter 3 times if he truly Loved Him.  Every time Peter responds with a “Yes, you know that I Love you”.  Each time Jesus then says to either feed or take care of my lambs and sheep. 

Wow.  As I read it my heart just broke and knew I’ve taken the people and area I’ve been given with an attitude of…dissatisfaction.  I was treating the things I was given as if they were “leftover trash”.  You get my point.  So, this shift in attitude, peace, and joy in the day-to-day has come from seeking HIM and doing the best with what I’ve been given.

It may not all be exactly what I’m hoping or looking for, but it’s what I’ve been given.  I still get upset from time to time, and everyday isn’t a “utopia”…but my approach and ending to each day is more grateful than griping/complaining.  Yes, I still have goals and strive for more…yet, I’m OK with the in-between. 

This is a very hard lesson to learn.  If my approach of seeking HIM is preposterous to you…THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?!  Because I guarantee you anything else will leave you dry, empty, and unsatisfied.  What have you been given that you’re not doing the best with?  Are you really doing the best with what you’ve been given or have a nasty attitude about it all?