Category: Grit with Grace

In 2016, Jacee Beth Thomas was in an auto/train accident and thus began her long journey back to strength and a life well lived…Little by little she worked hard to achieve small and large milestones in her recovery.  I used to read rodeo news and saw this article as soon as it happened.  I have followed her, prayed for her, and found joy in watching her and her loving family overcome numerous obstacles.  They have hundreds of followers, and this is just a small way I could show I pray and root for them every day!

I haven’t met you, but my heart is somehow connected.  I’ve cried and worried about you… I send prayers for you every day, and there is no doubt how much I care. Every little triumph makes my heart soar and leaves me wanting more. I feel emotions all at once – sadness, love, compassion, and gratitude. fear, hope, and steely faith that God’s got this!

Sadness, wishing that it hadn’t happened…. Love and compassion for your pain, your family, and friends in this beautiful life that was changed in an instant. Gratitude it wasn’t my child but fear, knowing it could’ve been and still could be…. Unwavering hope that improvement continues and faith as strong as steel, that no matter what, this amazing family will carry on in love and steadfastness.

Our Father knew what He was doing when he breathed love for a child into a parent, the love of a friend strong and true, and the love of humans to feel the pain of someone we don’t even know. Loving is a miraculous choice.  God could have made us pawns ‘starring’ in an interesting show for His amusement except that we are so much more in His eyes.   He longs for us to choose His way of care and kindness toward our families and fellow man.  Since we are not created as robots in a pre-planned world, bad things happen (yes, to good people).  Thankfully, when we seek it, God supplies the strength we need to turn to Him and recognize Him as our Savior, the master of our life plan, and the King of our souls.

Philippians 4:13   I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me”
Matt-11-28″ Come to me, all who are weary and burdened; I will give you rest.
Luke: 12:23-24   For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.   Consider the ravens:  They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them.  How much more valuable are you than the birds?

America! Growing with you has been an adventure. There you stand watching as our dreams come true, ordinary and extraordinary – Yes, sometimes dreams do fall apart, but we thank you for providing all of us a chance to dream and then another, and the opportunity to work hard and succeed. You are about the freedom to choose, figure it out, and work hard to survive and discover our joy, our very lives, and our success. You (and we) are not perfect, but we keep trying to work together and get it right.

Make no mistake, you have already gotten much right…through the years, your citizens have made extraordinary strides accepting one another for the ‘content of their character’ as the great leader Martin Luther King so wisely dreamed of for your people, America.

Americans care passionately for one another. Every situation may not be understood yet we stand ready to support and offer a hand up. The love we have for each other is unmistakable. It is evident when there is a disaster of some kind or when a loss is experienced by a neighbor, a friend, and often by a complete stranger.  

A love light shines as volunteers go far and wide here and other countries to be a beacon of hope. Americans donate millions of dollars each year to assist others as they face some catastrophe. Immigrants who want to work hard, and make their way fairly to become part of our citizenry, are always welcome.  Look for the good, embrace the positive to be part of the solution not the problem.

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declared our Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 22:37-39 ³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

All you gung ho, gotta get there drivers, ask yourselves three questions:

1. Is driving 2 feet from my bumper when we are both going 55 or 60 miles an hour and passing is not available on that stretch of road really helping you get to your destination faster.

2. If I have to stop and you hit me and we call the police and have to sort out what happened and why, will that help you get there any faster?

3. Who is in your backseat? If you say no one, then that explains why I am more concerned with road etiquette and safety than you are. Many times I have precious cargo in my backseat such as my beautiful grandchildren or others of my precious family. It saddens me to think their safety is in jeopardy for no good reason (because I am certain you had to say no to the first 2 questions.)

I have a true concern for other drivers on the road. I will slow down to allow your car to get in when you need to or wait in line a little longer to let you merge in front of me. If the road permits, I will move over to let you by. I do not tailgate because I assume the people in the other car are important to someone who will feel their loss keenly should something happen to them.

I’m pretty sure that the driver in back is gonna be at fault. I’m gonna keep watching out for you but you are making me nervous…Please stop tailgating! This is just one of the ways you can “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)