30 Days of Thanks - Day 12

Today is the fourth and final day of things I'm thankful for that have something in common, which is that I've complained about each one of them.

Today I'm thankful for Life.

Have you ever thought of life as a struggle?  Me?  Oh yah. I'm in one of those seasons right now. I've felt the bitter sting of betrayal, the pain of loss, the uncertainty of the future and the emptiness of days stripped of hope. Life can bring tragedies and turning points that make you question your faith, your purpose, who you can trust and even what's 'real.'    There have been times when the circumstances were difficult but manageable, and I could see how I grew through those experiences.  There is strength in the struggle and the struggles can make you bitter or better. Each lesson helps us grow.  But there have also been some debilitating  events that were not manageable and I could never figure out any purpose behind them.  I did, eventually, watch in amazement as God used those events to bring good things back into my life.

There is so much about life that you can't control. You can't control other people.  You can't control the weather, you can't control the economy and so many other things. Was life intended to be something that you controlled? No. It's something to be experienced and enjoyed and learned from.  I look at the current season of my life, and while there were things revealed that changed the course of my life and the direction I was going in, I also am aware of new opportunities, friendships and support that were forming and finding their way to me, right when I needed them. 

Even through this season, I understand that life is such a precious gift, not to just be endured or survived -- but truly LIVED and lived to it's fullest.  We're here to love each other and that involves risk. The best things in life usually aren't safe, they require you to risk hurting, risk being vulnerable. Like the lyrics say, "Life's a dance you learn as you go."  We're all learning and finding our way.  And when I set aside my fears, busyness, clouded perceptions and limiting feelings, a veil is lifted and I'm reminded how brief and amazing life is. Life itself is so incredible and such a special gift.  From each person who is on their own journey, to the flowers in the field and our living, breathing planet.  Life is all around us and it must be respected.  Step back and see the wonder, keep believing, dancing, connecting, and experiencing all that life has to offer.

Life is a gift.  A spectacular, complex gift  -given with love- and I intend to embrace it.

There are many people, often teenagers, who can't see past the pain of a current problem to envision a hopeful future and they tragically take their own lives. Tomorrow, Friday, November 13th is "To Write Love On Her Arms” (TWLOHA) day on a global scale.  This campaign is a movement to counter self-mutilation, depression and suicide for teens and anyone who has considered harming themselves.  People are encouraged to show their solidarity with people struggling with these issues by writing “love” on their arms on Friday.

See: http://www.twloha.com/