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Good morning, world! Well, it’s been some time since my last blog was written, and to be honest there are a variety of reasons for that. You see, I blog when I have something that just can’t wait to “get out” of me. Everyone needs an “out” when they get stressed or put under pressure. For some, that’s a round of golf or a three-mile run. For me, I’ve found, it’s sitting down with a laptop in front of me and writing. I love to write.
So here I am, for the first time in a while, venting my overflowing heart to you, my faithful few. And can I just begin with a very simple phrase that is so HUGELY filled with truth – God IS faithful!
Approximately three months go my world changed – TOTALLY. Without going into great detail for the benefit of others, choices were made that weren’t in my scope of control and that turned everything I knew upside down. And for a moment – a brief, passing moment – I didn’t think I could stand to live in my new reality. I didn’t think life was worth it at all.
My dreams, my plans, my goals – all flushed in an instant. And everything – so it seemed – had changed and vanished before my eyes. But there were those faithful few who stood around me, though my gratitude at the time was lacking. There were those who drove miles and miles to simply be there with me. They did my laundry, my cooking, my house cleaning, and even just sat in the same room as me at all hours of the night so I wouldn’t be alone. They love me – unconditionally. And this time those who claim that love really do mean it – they prove it daily.
Time has passed since that horrible valley. The darkness has faded into light. The deep, dark valley has fallen behind me, and the sunny mountaintop is within view. I actually find myself smiling for absolutely no reason again. It’s been a long time since that was my reality. But nonetheless, here I am.
And it’s all because of three little letters:
GIF.
God IS Faithful. Even when we don’t understand why He’s allowed such horrible circumstances to fall upon us, He is faithful. Always. Never fails. Boy, that’s medicine to a sick soul!
Today I woke up “giddy.” Seriously. I have some folks who have become very important to me in recent days. I won’t launch into a list of thank yous because the list would be way too long for a blog, and I’d inevitably leave someone out and hurt their feelings. But my family held me up when I couldn’t stand on my own. And for that I’m grateful.
I – the “under shepherd” – was ministered to in a time when I really wasn’t up to ministering. God gave all of you to me “for such a time as this.” And a bright future lies ahead. I can feel it in my bones.
My friend Jim is an amazing man of God with a testimony that would make you fall to your knees, and he told me just a few weeks after that life changing day that I would eventually be “happier than I’ve ever been.” I respect him, but I also thought that even though he had been where I was, he just couldn’t possibly understand my particular situation. I thought it just wasn’t possible to be happy. Period. Let alone “happier than I’d ever been.”
But boy, did God have different plans. And though I don’t know what tomorrow holds when the “right now” is over, I know this: He’s shown me I can smile again. He’s shown me I can trust again. He’s shown me I can have a friend and be a friend again.
He’s shown me I can again experience a deeper fulfillment and joy than ever before.
So guess what . . . GIF! And because of His faithfulness, I’m back in the saddle again, and loving every minute of it. What a life He’s given me – and what a joy to be the one living it. GIF!
So whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, just know this: Faithfulness is only one of his many attributes, and I guarantee that if you surrender your life to him, you’ll discover who he is and how he loves you unconditionally. Your life won’t be perfect, but the Savior of the world will always have your back. Choose him today.
Until next time,
blake
Copyright © 2021 by Blake Martin @https://pastorblakeman.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/back-in-the-saddle-again/ No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.