Keep Lookin' Up Blog: Do we have an attitude of gratitude?

20 years ago I would pray a lot about finances. In 2006 some unimaginable events happened, we took a huge financial hit due to someone else's actions. We put our entire life on hold, then two years in, Diana was diagnosed with lung cancer, then most of our praying centered around health, cancer and the untenable situation due to a cluster of elements that affected our life, lifestyle and seemed to dictate our future.

During that time the shift, we began to shift from a myopic view of our lives, to seeking God's face. It all started when the worst new ever was presented, Diana's life would soon end according to the report.

That was a crisis of belief, we made adjustments, fasted and prayed. Earl Nightingale said, "Luck is not just luck, fortunate people, successful people are prepared, good fortune is when preparedness meets opportunity!"

Our shift in our praying, was to seek the Father, ask for wisdom, and to stop, listen, hear His wisdom and then ask for His timing.

It seemed at that point, whatever we wanted or needed, we had it. Oh but like a sinking ship, we began to get rid of excess, lighten the load and get ready for the future, what ever that would hold.

Then as time went on, as Diana's time began to wind down, we adjusted. Now nearly 7 years later, as I think back, there was almost no stress, no anxiety and we really didn't worry about finances. Our praying shifted again, we began to pray for those who came to visit, Diana increased her gracious way she ministered to other's, when it seemed she needed encouragement, she encouraged other's. We began to pray about the impact that her passing would affect family and friends.

Toward the last days, I administered pain meds like morphine and fentanyl while she was on hospice. The amount of fentanyl had to be handled in such a way, that others, our pets and I would not be overdosed. This took special training, or even I could be in the hospital just by touching it.

So our praying took new forms, when she passed, my prayer changed even more. I no longer had children at home, a wife, or a reason to maintain a house.
I was still thankful to be alive and have so many friends.

It's pretty crazy, I had people who said, "You've changed!" Well live affects everything you do. If you look at those in the Scriptures they would start out with one personality and after "Life" happened, God would call them to do something, that it seemed they were not equiped to do.

I changed, my prayers changed, my focus changed, my priorities changed. 5 year's in, I met my wife Katie. Married a year and 7 months, we head to Brazil Monday, to minister to those in Curitiba, I am sure I would not be going on this trip, without all the things I have been through. Katie probably would be going either.

What I realize, it's the gratitude I have for all God has done in, for and around me, that has given me a whole new attitude toward giving God my yes!

I am thankful for the team we are going with, the people we will meet and those we will join God in ministering to. Also what I have found, I come back impacted more by what happens in, and to others, than they are impacted by my being there. I come back Changed by what God does, He allows us to be on commission with Him.

I don't know what God has in-store for our team, I am grateful in advance for lives changed, ours and those we encounter!

Please pray for us, and that we come back changed, and never the same, more like Jesus!

God is good!

I am Grateful!

Keep Lookin Up!

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