Sometimes I get to thinking about my life and here lately a deep dissatisfaction has tried to take aholt. I’ve noticed I’ve been consumed with retirement. Probably because we don’t have any….oops did I really just let that out loud?! Will people think I am some lazy person who cares nothing about the future? I turned 50 in November and it’s all I have been thinking about.
Many of my ranch management friends think about the day it comes….”we no longer need you on the ranch.” Yeah, that day. Where will we go? What will we do? Will anyone hire us at that age? Will we have enough money to buy our own place? Pretty much the conversation is full of well…fear!
But then there’s my friend, Gertrude (Now that old school name nobody at church will recognize). I will call her that because I don’t want to give away her real name. Ranch protection program you see. I can’t help but think of a conversation we had on Sunday. She and her husband also take care of a ranch full time. She said the owners were putting the ranch up for sale. I looked at her…with those “oh no” eyes, and she said. “Isn’t it exciting…I wonder what God will do with us next?” and that statement followed with more statements of God’s faithfulness…. His track record.
My friend…you’re right! God had always and always will take care of us. It doesn’t mean we don’t ever plan or have a retirement account or take precautions to warnings that He puts in our path. That would be irresponsible. We don’t owe anyone money. We have no debts. We’ve paid cash for our taxes and vacations, gifts and Christmas. All because of God. All because He is our provider. Wasn’t it He who placed us here? Why yes…yes it was!
My friend had given credit where it was due. And that’s what He wants. But too often we forget until we are up the creek without a paddle. Discontentment often leads to bad attitudes anyways…who needs that? Yes, we get wrapped up…okay, yes I got wrapped up in the number on my retirement account…yes, you read right, it was zero.
Gertrude,… reminded me of how very blessed I am to be a cowboy pastor’s wife…doing life with incredible people. I love this place like no other and don’t want to live anywhere else, I have never been able to say that before. We have a home on a ranch we love, for however long that is…who knows…God does! We get the privilege to give credit where it’s due. So how do we do that?
Two Ways To Give God Credit:
- Be Proud Of Him. That looks like being attached to God. Not ashamed. Having a relationship that says…I’m with Him. You know what, He wants to talk about you too…….
“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” .
2. What Specifically Has God Done. When we use real words about real situations that have happened in our own lives. For example, the time the water bill was “mysteriously” paid. Remembering God’s faithfulness helps others recall those times in their lives as well.
“And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
The reason I shared this today is….we all get to focused on what we don’t have, what we think we are missing in our lives. But that’s where we lose focus. Yes plan…yes…think! God gave us good sense! But yes…don’t lose today because you’re too caught up in the future. Give Him credit today. Lift your head and thank Him and you will remember in a moment what life is really about. I know I did.
Finally, I have to leave you with this reminder about contentment…
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”
What do you need to give God credit for today? Would you mind sharing? Thank you for reading….thecowboypastorswife
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