ACCEPTANCE WITH JOY
The skies have cleared and the reason the snowbirds are here is because of the perfect weather…the 70s. With my health being restored and my depression subsiding, I changed my course and signed up with another company. I thought I would be going in one direction but God made it very clear I was to choose another. It was about the client. The downside? The worst days to work, including today…hence why I am writing this blog at 5:30 am. Acceptance with JOY. As Much Afraid continued on her journey the Chief Shepard changed her course…away from the mountain and into the desert. She fell at his feet and asked why? He promised her JOY everlasting, not the desert. His answer is one many of us are familiar with. Sometimes what seems to be the worst of circumstances is exactly what is necessary to find the greatest JOY…gratitude. As she continued in the desert she could see no growth of any kind. But after walking and walking, what seemed like forever, she saw something. It was a golden poppy growing in the crevice of some rocks. But how could that be? There was no water, no good soil, just dirt. She asked the flower what her name is ( I think it was a girl flower!) and she said “ My name is Acceptance with JOY”. Everything that I was enjoying about retirement was suddenly gone. No more yoga, Zumba, working with the homeless. I don’t have my weekends now to spend with Myly and Kev.. This is when we do all of our hiking because of the weather. The circumstances with my clients family is NOT what I would choose. As I’m scrubbing the toilets God reminds me “ work as unto me and I will be given the glory”. My client. God loves her so much that He prepared everything in order for me to be there. This will not be forever, just like your circumstances will not be forever, just like Much Afraid will not always be in the desert. If we can learn to Accept with JOY, to have gratitude in the places we don’t want to be in, God will change us from the inside out… to be the golden poppy that can grow in any circumstances and bring JOY to all that see us. It is for HIS glory, not for our comfort. May you find peace knowing that your Father, the one who created you, will bring you through these difficult circumstances and to the high mountain once again. But when He does you will be changed….just like He promised.