Miss The Mark? Good News!

Special Gratitude Edition - Man Up Monday

Guest Post by Chase Haney

If you are like me, I have missed the mark expressing my gratitude. This has led me to believe a lack of gratitude tends to mark the heart with regret. Once we have missed the opportunity to be grateful, we have a choice: double down and avoid gratitude or learn a deep and valuable lesson. These options were put in front of me when my home church asked me to share what I was grateful for at our Thanksgiving service.

Like any puffed up college student who had done well presenting his five-minute window of a group project, I quickly said “yes”. My excitement to say “yes” soon vanished when the required preparation followed. I did what so many of us fall victim to: I procrastinated. I told myself, “You have got this. You have spoken for five minutes before and could do it in your sleep.” So, that is what I did (or did not do).

I always remember getting about 60 seconds into my testimony about ‘gratitude’ and running out of things to talk about. What an ironic moment. The service felt deflated, and the congregation was full of blank stares. The rest of the testimony was full of trying to come up with stories, sayings, and anything else that halfway fit the moment. With little transitions and without a closing, I ended my talk and made my way off the stage.

As I walked back to my seat, the disappointment filled my heart as I replayed how big of a miss I had ushered into the service. When I made it to my seat, I could feel the embarrassment I had caused my family. The once touted college student who was doing some really cool ministry had missed a moment – and missed a big one.

I share this because we have all messed up. We have all gotten the opportunity to say how grateful we were and… we have blown it. We have missed the moment. This moment became a line in the sand moment for me. I strongly believe in 2 Timothy 4:2 when Paul encourages Timothy (and us) to be ready in and out of season. Out of this experience, I made a commitment to God and myself that if the ask/season allowed me to prepare, I would take full advantage of it.

Here is the truth. God is with us in our preparation. My failure that day was evident on stage, but the bigger failure was missing the opportunity to sit with God to talk with Him about gratitude. Gratitude itself is so deeply connected to the Gospel. When we get what we do not deserve, our response is gratitude. Our hearts should be marked, sealed, and at the same overflowing with this gratitude we only get from experiencing a love so deep, it changes our soul’s destination.

If I could encourage us who have missed the mark when it comes to gratitude – the Gospel is rooted in getting another chance. Not because we deserve it, but because God wants to write His story on our hearts. Be ready to share your story, but be even more excited to prepare. Gratitude is rarely found where reflection is not.