Who in your life has supported you in your challenges, struggles, and daily pursuits? Who is that person that you would call at 2:00AM when your car broke down on the side of the road? Who is it that went along with your ideas and plans even when they sounded outlandish or unachievable? Who helped you get back on your feet when you got knocked down? And finally who is that person who has shown grace to you even when there was no way you deserved it? Did any specific faces pop up in your thoughts as you mentally asked yourself these questions? Those are some of your biggest fencepost folks. Give them credit and let them know how much you appreciate them and give thanks for them being a part of your life's journey. "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18.
If you look at one of the myriad images of that turtle on a fencepost, you might, like me, start to question, "How's that turtle ever going to get down off that fencepost?". Well that is a good next point in our giving credit where credit is due. No one reaches their perch on a fencepost by themselves and you won't move on to your next goal in life without some of those same people and potentially with the addition of new supporters to move us forward. We can get stuck on the fencepost if we aren't careful and that is a lonely place to be sitting. Give credit to those who got you there, and bring them along on your journey to what is next. "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:7
Above all, today and everyday we need to give thanks to the One that made it possible for us to reach our fencepost perch in life. God our Father, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior walked, walks, and will always be there walking alongside us. God deserves all the credit. God places the people in our paths that help pick us up when we are down, and God the Father rejoices with us when we surmount summits as well. God's Holy Spirit breathes encouragement and perseverance into our hearts, minds, and souls and celebrates our goals accomplished in our daily lives. Don't ever fail to give thanks to the One who got you there! "I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done." Psalm 9:1.
As we close today, there is one additional thought that needs to be shared to a group that may not be sitting atop a fencepost position in life. For those who feel you are in a deep, lowly position in life and a fencepost is the last thing that comes to mind in your current situation, don't allow the present to dictate your day. In the midst of our trials we must stay faithful to believe that God is working in the trenches just as much as He is sitting on the perch with us. Developing a trust that God has a plan and His plans do not always make sense to us, but that is where trust and obedience move us to what God has in store for us. Our job is to journey forward, lean in on those that God has placed in our path to support us, celebrate with us, and to share in giving God the glory and honor that are His for anything we accomplish here on this earth! God is faithful and His love endures with us and for us. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him." Lamentations 3:22-24.
Whether you are sitting on top of your life's fencepost or if you are diligently circumventing life's struggles and challenges as you continue to climb, remember you are not alone. God has placed others in your life, lean in and acknowledge them each and every day!
Coach Carter
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