Gratitude: the New Normal

For a couple of years now I keep thinking life is surely nearing an exhale. I daydream of taking a breath from the backside of an ebb, and the hard will ease just a little…but still no flow has graced our door in a long, long time. What were once trials and desert-places in years past seem almost run-of-the-mill daily battles now, and as my friend Diana said to me recently, “this- is the new normal.” The hard-pressed, barely catch my breath, bone tired, blessedly grace-full life. The exhale deferred yet again. This morning as another day breaks and with it most-assuredly more desperate ache for peace, I muster strength to open eyes and soul to sing even just a whisper of Gratitude. Thankfulness for all that is bestowed, taken away, and the messy middle of every day. Hour by hour, my new normal.

“We are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .”