Yesterday was a hard day. It seemed like lots of stuff got piled on me and I didn’t respond well. I will spare you the details but suffice it to say that circumstances reminded me of my many failures and my oh-so-evident faults.

This morning, in a Lyft on my way to the airport, I saw a rock formation called “The Praying Monk” at the head of Camelback Mountain. And I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if that monk could pray for me.

Then it hit me, I have some one way better than a praying monk interceding for me.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1, ESV)

My mind was then taken to John 21 where Jesus sought out Peter on the shore of Galilee. Peter, the one who denied Jesus by his words and actions, was likely overwhelmed by the magnitude of his failure. I am sure it was a surprise to Peter when he was not only restored to fellowship but was also given a mission to tend those who Jesus was calling into fellowship with himself.

Looking into the face of Jesus, Peter found grace and acceptance rather than condemnation. As John reminds us in the verse quoted above, you and I can find the same grace and acceptance.

While this reflection doesn’t change my circumstances, it certainly does change my attitude about them.

Knowing that I am not alone changes everything. Knowing that the one with me accepts me as I am is even better. But the best part is that Jesus is actively working to allay my fears and transform me into the person he designed me to be.

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A few days ago, I saw a meme in LinkedIn with some comments by the actor Jakie Chan about gratitude. That quote is shown at right in this post.

It is so easy to be frustrated about what we don’t have. It is also so easy to be jealous of someone who has something that we would like to have. Neither of these responses are healthy, since they only lead to frustration.

One of the hardest lessons that we need to learn is how to respond to the parts of our life that are beyond our control. In some things we have limited control, in others we have zero control.

I am finding that two things help with dealing with this “out of our control” issues.

The first is gratitude, as Jackie Chan points out. The second is forgiveness.

Forgiveness allows me to let go of the hurts that I have incurred and find a way to move forward. I am learning to let those hurts go which prevents them from controlling my thoughts and give me the freedom to think about other things.

I am also finding that gratitude is a path to contentment. When I am most grateful, then I usually find myself relatively content. On this idea I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Philippians:

“. . . for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13, NASB 95)

Paul reminds us that true contentment is a work of God in my life. Having gratitude is foundational to allowing God to do this work in us.

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As I write this, I am sitting on my patio on a lovely May morning in a quiet neighborhood. I hear the distant rumble of jet engines from the local airport, but instead of carrying weapons that sow destruction, these jets are carrying people to destinations of their own choosing.

While I am far from rich by American standards, I have luxuries in my life that would be the envy of much, if not most, of the world. The fact that I can sit in peace and have the time and a place to write this post is a blessing for which I should always be grateful, and I chose to be so.

I also have freedom in my life that much of the world would also envy. One only need to talk to those who have emigrated to the United States to get a better understanding of conditions elsewhere.

I have freedom to criticize those in power in my country, I have the freedom to worship God openly and in a manner consistent with my understanding of what God wants. I have the freedom to pursue work that I find rewarding and that I enjoy. There are many other freedoms that could be listed.

This level of freedom is another blessing for which I chose to be grateful.

But I am reminded that these blessings, which ultimately come from God, were purchased by those who have given their lives to protect those freedoms. It is these that we remember on Memorial Day.

Yesterday I overheard a conversation in a shop where a veteran announced that it is inappropriate to say “Happy Memorial Day.” I agree. No-one should be happy about the sacrifices that needed to be made to assure our freedom.

So, I will say, “Have a meaningful Memorial Day.” Let us all be grateful for the freedom we have and pray for those who currently serve in uniform and pray for our leaders as they work to protect our country from those who would seek to destroy it. Let us also pray for the families that have lost loved ones in the service of our country.

In the last few years I have started to verbally thank those in uniform who are actively engaged in protecting us, including military personnel, border patrol, police officers, and firemen. Can I encourage you to do the same?

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I live in the desert in the Southwest United States and I really enjoy the variety of cacti that are on display in the wild areas around me and in my neighborhood.

I especially like the seguaros, those tall, majestic cactus with arms that are the symbol of the American desert. They frequently appear in cartoons and movies. But there are many other varieties of cacti in the wild and in the landscape arrangements of the houses in my neighborhood. Each variety has a beauty that makes it distinct from the others.

But when you examine each one, some have holes in them from birds building nests. Others have parts of them that survived less than ideal conditions or downright abuse. Lack of water, animials, humans, and harsh condtions can cause them damage.

But they survive.

Until recently, when I would see this type of damage I would think it a shame that those conditions would have to be overcome. I would often get frustrated and think that the damage, the scars, on display marred the cactus and made it less than it should be.

But I am realizing that those wounds turned to scars also give each cactus a particular beauty. They have encountered difficulties and overcome them. They continue to grow despite the damage.

Then I think of myself and the people around me. In a fallen world, which is less than we would like it to be, we incur physical and emotional damage as we progress through life.

But we survive.

For the Christian, we rely on the promise of God that somehow each of these hurts, each of the scars, somehow will work out for our good and God’s glory (Romans 8:28). So instead of being embarrassed by the scars, we should instead look at them as a testament to the ability of God to get us through the hard times.

If you are encouraged by this post or would like to join in a conversation, please use the comment form below to offer your feedback. If you are reading this in an email and would like to comment, you can reply to the email or click on the “Read in browser” link below to go to the web page where you can enter a comment. I enjoy hearing from you.