September 25, 2018

It’s a pretty long list.  I’ve been working on it for the past few weeks and I’m still adding to it.

It’s a list of all of the ways I have seen God work in my life during the past year.  Included on the list are ways God spoke to me, directed me, encouraged me, rescued me.  His perfect timing, healing touch, sovereign design.

I ran into someone last week that I hadn’t seen in a while.   They said they had heard about my cancer and wanted to wish me the best.  They also said that I must have some good karma.  Karma?  I actually took a step backward as if they had slapped me in the face.

I assured them that it wasn’t karma that I was experiencing.  If karma was in control, I’d be in trouble.  The “what goes around – comes around” theory doesn’t bring me much comfort.

I much prefer God’s mercy and blessing based on His love for me and not anything I drum up myself.

The list of blessings I’ve been making are proof that God goes way beyond anything I can do and shows that the “you get what you deserve” idea does not fit into God’s economy.

I’m thankful God doesn’t give me what I deserve.  He gives me what He thinks is best for me.  Of course, some things that come my way are natural consequences of my choices.

If I overspend my budget, I live with the results.  God doesn’t magically dump money into my checking account.  If I drink coffee before bed, I will be up all night.  He doesn’t sprinkle sleepy dust on my head.  If I drive my car to Target when the gas gauge shows the tank is empty, He will not get me there on a wing and a prayer to shop in the Dollar Spot and buy things I don’t need.  Ahem.

Now, He could bail me out if He wanted to, but I’m pretty sure my Heavenly Father wants me to learn from my silly mistakes because that’s what loving fathers do even when it is painful to watch.

Instead, God prompts me (through His Word and truthful friends and amazing pastors) to make better choices and learn through difficult times.

His work in my life is better than karma.  Better than coincidence.  Better than luck.

Lord, you are a good father.  A loving father.  My list of blessings from this past year is just a drop in the bucket.  I’m sure there are things you have done for me that I’m not even aware of.  Thank you for loving me.  Forgive me for the times I’ve missed the lessons you wanted to teach me.  Forgive me for complaining when things get rough.  Your ways are better than anything I can imagine.