Bouncing Back With Gratitude
Photo: Karen O’Connor
Abraham of the Bible bounced back from disbelief when God brought him a son in the late years of his life. The Samaritan woman at the well bounced back from deceit and adultery when she met Jesus, the Messiah, and received His ‘living water.’ And Zacchaeus, the tax collector, bounced back from cheating when he offered to pay back four times the amount of money he took dishonestly.
Over the years, Burt had read and heard these accounts at church and in his own reading of Scripture, but he did not understand the gift of God’s grace personally, until he went through a wrenching divorce when his children were young.
Burt says he grew up with criticism and he became a critic himself. “I was so emotionally entangled with my father,” he said, “I couldn’t think for myself. I continually looked for my dad’s approval–even though I never received it.”
As an adult he tried to cover his pain with alcohol. “I remember when my kids were young,” he said, “I only took the family to places where I knew I could get a drink.”
Despite Burt’s problem with his own father, he admits with dismay, “I treated my kids the same way. I was critical of everything they did.” His greatest regret is not realizing the extent of the damage until they were grown. His daughter struggled for a time with being overweight and his son often escaped into sports and work.
But when he speaks of their relationship today, his words are warm and his eyes brighten. After a recent visit with his daughter, where they really talked for the first time, he received a note from her saying how great it was to get to know him.
“I’m finally learning to do things differently with my children than my father did with me,” he said. “When they ask what I think about a particular situation, I give an example from my life and share the result. I don’t advise and criticize anymore.”
Burt also admits freely that none of this would be possible without God being present in his life. “I’m just as human as anyone,” he said, “but as a Christian, I now take responsibility for my actions in a way I never did before I knew the Lord.”
As Burt focuses on the present and trusts God for his future, he knows the freedom of bouncing back from regret, from anger and from guilt. Today he gives thanks for all of it.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. —Psalm 18:2
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! I so appreciate being able to read this lovely story of God’s redemptive power!
We did have a lovely Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends and neighbors–25 in all–quite a feat for Erin in her small house but she pulled it off and it was wonderful. Thankful for you and Sarah and Brian always. Much love.I hope your T-day was beautiful too.
Burt’s story is very touching and I am glad he had some good things to happen as the “years went by”! It is difficult to ‘bounch back’ after we have been hurt. My divorce after 27 years hurt but I did bounce back with gratitude with the help of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He saves us from “ourselves”. I am grateful.
Thanks for sharing with us, Karen.
Love and blessings, Margaret
Thanks, as always, Margaret. I love knowing that after all you’ve been through you continue to be grateful and to thrive no matter what. I admire and love you.
Isn’t grace wonderful, the grace that allows us to bounce back from mistakes, to change and grow and learn. Thanks, Karen, for this heartwarming story!
hanks, Carol. I’m glad you enjoyed this story of how any one of us can bounce back by God’s grace.
Thank you, Karen for this message. I can identify in various ways. Having Christ as a very important part of my life and knowing I am forgiven is something I don’t have the proper words to express. Learning not to criticize but listen and care. Only through Christ can I do this.
I’m in total agreement with you, Joan. Thanks for sharing.
I like that story, Karen. It’s never too late.
So true. Every day is a new opportunity to bounce back as those of us in recovery know so well.
What a wonderful story, Karen!
Thanks, Sherry.
Redemption! What a wonderful word. That is what the Lord does with everything we give Him. So many examples of it in the Bible and in so many lives of people we know. I am so thankful for the grace of God.
He can make “beauty out of ashes”. Thank you Lord!
Thanks for the story, another example of what the Lord can do.
Thanks for appreciating this example of bouncing back by God’s grace.
Thank you for the story. It is a reminder that like is so much easier with God in our life.
Thanks, Karen. I totally agree with you.