Grateful for today
By CHERYL CRUCE
It was a harmless meme, just like the thousands of other memes posted on social media. This one pictured a beautiful scene of the blue Gulf waters with a caption that read, “Turn my clock back to June.” I smiled, thinking the summer had slipped away too quickly due to a new move, work transfer, and school completion. I reposted the meme.
When my post hit the social media display, one of my newest friends replied, “You did not know me in June.” Soon a list of recent friends followed her thought by expressing the same sentiment. Their comments gave me a reason to pause.
Often, I look back to yesterday, yet in looking back, I miss the current blessings of today. For the past two years, my life has been a little unsettled. Recently married to my high school sweetheart, I have made my home in Wakulla County with him. Although my home is here, my work and much of my things remained in Madison. I was living in two places and settled in neither. I am a person who struggles with letting go.
In July, I was to begin my 10th year of pastoring two churches in Madison, where I had established relationships and community. However, July started my new assignment of pastoring at Ochlockonee Bay and Sopchoppy United Methodist Churches. I was saying goodbye to old friends and ministries and stepping into a world of unfamiliar faces, churches, and relationships. The uneasiness of change haunted me.
God told Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you (Genesis 12:1).” God was leading Abram to a land of promise. Abram chose to follow God and never looked back. It was not an easy journey for Abram and his family; however, he continued to walk forward. I wonder if the uneasiness of change haunted Abram.
There is a cost to following the Lord. That cost is the forward motion into His service, wherever that may lead.
In Luke 9:57-62, a man from the crowd cries out, “Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.” Nonetheless, he had reasons for not immediately following the Lord. Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
My walk, our walk, with the Lord should always be in a forward motion. It will often move us from a place of comfort to a place of learning and growing. God calls His children to walk forward into His promises. The Lord tells us to be strong and courageous, for He is the Lord our God who goes before us (Joshua 1:9). Why would we desire to turn our clocks back to June if God goes before us today? Yesterday has passed, and there is no promise of tomorrow. However, today holds blessings beyond all measure.
Turning the clock back to June would extend my summer; however, the cooler evenings of October are incredibly inviting. I could have remained with old friends in Madison, yet, I would have missed the new friendships I am gaining in Wakulla.
Yesterday is warm and cherished; I retain strong ties to old friends. Today is inspiring with fresh faces, unique personalities, and laughter.
I am grateful for today, grateful for new friends and new beginnings. Today, I am thankful to move forward in the ministry of our Lord. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.