One Round at a Time

I am well into my 40 years and as I contemplate all the things I could share with you, it's that by now I should be insanely familiar with "sometimes it just doesn't work out".  I had to make a horrible decision last week to acknowledge that something I thought was custom-made for me, was exactly the opposite...and I walked away.

With two busy teenagers, it is a rare occasion that we make it to the latest new releases at the local movie theater.  We are more of a rent it on Amazon Prime, microwave some popcorn, pour a Diet Dr. Pepper, slide into some pajamas, and reserve a couch cushion kind of family.  So this past Saturday, we rented Creed, and if you are a fan and follow the history of the Rocky movies, this one was a big legacy deal.  

Sitting on my sofa surrounded by the heart-ache of the week, and my boys, it struck me.  Once the fight begins, Rocky keeps repeating:  One step at a time, one round at a time.  In case you are a renter like me, I don't want to spoil the movie, but Apollo's son has a tough act to follow.  And every phase is requiring effort, training, dependence on people around him that have more knowledge, desire, commitment, and heart-ache for all the relationships that could have been.  Reminds me a bit of our learning to walk as authentic Christians.

Sunday morning brings thunder & coffee, blueberry muffins & bacon, and the request to braid hair before church.  And as I am still dwelling on my heart-ache...I dwell well...I hear my son's video game say:  Take what you learned from this round and take it into the next battle.  Again, reminding me of our walk as authentic Christians.

And God clearly knows that the third time is a charm (or a battle wound from being beaten over the head) with me...Toby Mac's "Move (Keep Walking)" was the first song on the radio as I climbed into the car this morning to head over to the Unemployment Office to untangle my mess.

A few things I learned from/am reminded of in my most recent bout of "didn't work out"...

1. Christians are people.  We are human people.  We are capable of getting it wrong, passing judgement, jumping into something that puts on a good front all for the sake of getting into the ring and "fighting the good fight" of faith.

2.  We should never put anything on a pedestal.  When that pedestal crumbles, we are left feeling bruised, damaged, and wondering if God is in our corner.

3.  Nothing is worth our soul.  Whatever was lurking...my soul wanted no part of it.  

So taking my little trifecta of messages the past few days, I will face the next round, one step at time, learn from it for the next battle, and keep walking.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight for the true faith.  Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.  

I love how Timothy says "true faith".  Because there are a lot of things out there that would give you the impression of faith, but once you get a little up-close and personal, it is not God's true faith that is governing.

I have something that God has put on my heart (beating me over the head with).  If you are a prayer warrior or would like to be one for me, I am asking you to pray over this project.  If you would like specifics, please message me and I will fill you in on what God has revealed so far - because, my broken heart is putting together some pieces and isn't real sure of what this all looks like just yet.  But I welcome you to be a person of true faith and prayer if you are being called to do so.  I look forward to sharing my progress!  

Until then, "I know your heart's been broke again, your prayers ain't been answered yet...keep walkin'...soldier keep movin' on".