Get Joy: Gratitude

Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts

Sunday, November 1, 2015

So Much Joy!

I find myself reflecting on the past 3 years and asking myself, "What do I really feel?" Some may say a few things like sadness, heartbreak, brokenness, instability....shame. But that is not at all what I feel. I am reminded of the verse from Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Taking a break from full time ministry and allowing God's redemptive work to weave its way through our family has brought so much joy, at times my heart may burst from the fullness it feels. At first the pain seemed too much to carry; but as I have found when I truly allow myself to be completely emptied I am left only to be filled with something so much more. It was either to allow bitterness to fill me up or grace! I choose grace! I choose it a million times over...again...and again.

Grace heals, Grace forgives. Grace loves. Grace sustains. Grace brings wholeness. Grace restores.
Grace is JOY!

As we begin this new season, this new journey there is so much excitement that is almost hard to contain at times. Each day I am reminded that I get to do ministry. It is a privilege. It is an honor. I will never be tempted to take it for granted ever again.

There is so much joy in serving Jesus. Joy in knowing that I am saved by grace. I have been given this free gift of salvation from a God who truly loves me and my family. His love is so deep and so wide. And He has saw fit to use me and our story to be a hand that reaches out to those who are hurting. So they too can feel that love of God who knows them by name!

Everyday... I get to be a children's pastor! That is exciting! It is a joy!

We are so thankful, in this season of pondering the good things of God, for all the people God has placed into our lives. Sometimes it seems they have come unexpectedly...but my God is very intentional. Everyone who has entered into our story has been with such great purpose. I am thankful for each and every one. My heart has such deep love for the Church! It has truly been a shinning light. In a world that may say different, the church has been the most beautiful to me more than every before.

Our new church home is wonderful. I am amazed once again how God has been involved with each and every step to Saginaw. I remember the first day I drove into the church parking lot my first day. Tears of gratitude streaming down my face. Lauren Daigle song streaming through my car to the depths of my heart.....

I am guilty

Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become

These hands are dirty

I dare not lift them up to the Holy one

You plead my cause

You right my wrongs

You break my chains

You overcome

You gave Your life

To give me mine

You say that I am free

How can it be

I've been hiding

Afraid I've let you down, inside I doubt

That You could love me

But in Your eyes there's only grace now

Though I fall, You can make me new

From this death I will rise with You

Oh the grace reaching out for me

How can it be

You plead my cause

You right my wrongs

You break my chains

You overcome

You gave Your life

To give me mine

You say that I am free

How can it be

I am truly blessed. My family is blessed. Our hearts are full this Thanksgiving Season!

GET JOY!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Football and Thanksgiving

Catches almost made!

My husband's family have a yearly family and friends football game every Thanksgiving. I mean EVERY Thanksgiving. John has never missed one since he started playing as a small boy. This year one of children joined in on this time honored tradition. For the first time ever in our sixteen years of marriage, I went along to watch. Of course I took pictures! It may or may not have been to make sure they treated my girl right. Watch out for the mama bear on the sidelines.

Plays were made!

It was a blast watching them have a great family time together!

Fatherly instruction!

I had so much fun seeing such great teamwork and sportsmanship.

I just love some of the shots I was able to get of my family. I will cherish them forever. We don't get to see them much, some a few times a year and sometimes only once. But, I love how we can come together and have such a great time. And of course 70 year old grandpa still can't resist getting into the game! Love it....just love it!

Awesome catches!

Another one of my favorite shots. I love all their faces.

Look at my girl go! Whoo HOO!
She did in fact give those boys a run for their money!
She knows how to play defense!

The catch of the day! MVP?!

VICTORY!

Once the game was done it was time to shower and get ready for some serious eating. Grandma has a huge menu: Two turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, ruddy, sweet potato casserole (Thanks to sweet Aunt Joni), two kinds of rolls, corn, bean, celery sticks, applesauce, fruit salad, mandarin orange jello (Thanks to Aunt Jennifer usually but this year Aunt Janet), and usually at least 3-4 different kinds of pies pumpkin, apple, banana, and this year cherry. I supply the apple pies! And let's not forget our tradition of watching our favorite team the LIONS lose again. I don't think it would be quite the same if they won. LOL Thanks Lions for keeping real every Thanksgiving. Bwahahahaha

So, many reasons to be thankful this year, did you read my post yesterday...no matter what I feel...no matter our circumstances!!!

Thank you Lord for all that you have done for us. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent your only Son to die for us, so that we can have eternal life when we believe in You. Thank You for keeping your promises, you are truly a caring Father. Thank You for loving us when we fail. Thank You for picking us up and setting us back on our feet. Thank You for second chances. Thank Your for your abundant forgiveness, mercy and grace. Thank You for Your joy that You give and how it strengthens us.

Thank You that You are in every detail of our lives and working all things out for Your good. Thank You that You bend down to hear us. Thank You for providing everything that we need...not what we want. Thank You for not leaving us with out help, the Holy Spirit. Thank You for answering our prayers and our cry for help. Thank You for redeeming us and healing relationships. Thank You for healing our brokenness, our hearts, our bodies, and our minds. Thank You for the family and friends that You give us who love us, care for us, pray for us, and encourage us. And may we in love return a life that reflects You and worships you with every fiber in our being! May we love you and love others. In the beautiful, sweet name of Jesus....Amen!

And of course the night ended with pie and conversation about the Zombie Apocalypse! Perfection!

So THANKFUL for wonderful family and fun traditions!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

GET JOY!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

When Thankfulness Is Not Easy!

Sometimes being thankful comes hard. Maybe it is hard for you to be thankful because of the circumstances you find yourself in or the cards you have been dealt in life. I have personally found it very hard to be thankful this month. When your life has been turned upside down and shaken to pieces, it is hard to find level ground let alone a thankful heart.

My hubby has been without a job for 3 weeks now. I don't write that for you to feel sorry, I write it so you understand where I am at. It is scary. I am trying really hard not to worry and take it one day at a time. That is hard stuff for this recovering worry addict. I have to keep reminding myself that...I have everything I need for today. I know that God has our need in the palm of His hand; but there are many times I don't feel He has it under control and I want to control my situation.

I came across this in my devotional last week...

When you give God thanks regardless of your feelings, He gives us JOY regardless of your circumstances.-Sarah Young "Jesus Calling"

Thanksgiving morning my feelings were pretty low...weepy feelings. John came in and wrapped his arms around me and asked me what I could be thankful for? That was all I needed for a thankful heart to flow. One of my kids came in and I said, "I'll be thankful for her!" I then realized how thankful I was for my whole family. As I began to speak out thanks....a thankful heart began to overflow. God reminded me that no matter what we face, there is plenty to be thankful for. I needed to get my eyes off of our circumstances; because God alone is enough to be thankful.

We all face seasons in our lives. I began singing the "Desert Song" by Hillsong this morning before I started my devotions.

Verse 1:

This is my prayer in the desert

When all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in my hunger and need

My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:

And this is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved

Of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:

And I will bring praise

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:

And this is my prayer in the battle

When triumph is still on it's way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:

All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be emptied again

The seed I've recieved I will sow

I have felt that I have been walking through the desert lately....more like walking in circles in the desert. It has been hard to worship like I have been able to worship in other seasons of my life. But, I know that I have to keep walking on this journey. God knows where I am...I am not lost. He is always guiding me. Leading me. Loving me.

I think God was preparing my heart for my devotions this morning with that song. I later read this from my devotional this morning...
"However, I have taken you along a path that has highlighted your need for Me: placing you in situations where your strengths were irrelevant and your weakness were glaringly evident. Through the aridity of those desert marches, I have drawn you closer and closer to Myself. You have discovered flowers of Peace blossoming in the most desolate places. You have learned to thank Me for hard times and difficult journeys, trusting that through them I accomplish My best work. You have realized that needing Me is the key to knowing Me intimately, which is the gift above all gifts." -Sarah Young "Jesus Calling

Isaiah 58:11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹¹And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.

Maybe you find yourself like me in the dessert, in the fire, or right in the middle of the battle. Cry out to the Lord. Sing His praise. Thank Him for what He has done for you even if you don't feel like it. If everything is crumbling around you...Christ has saved you from your sin, God loves you. And that alone is enough reason to be thankful. Let thankfulness stir your heart and you will find there is peace in God.

The last part of that song (verse 4) reminded me that I will be in a good season once again. But we are filled up to be emptied out. We are vessels that are used by God. He fills us...He empties us. When we realize that we are not our own, we are His....His blessings can flow through us more. We are open to receive all God has for us then we are open to be poured out. All of God's goodness can fill us and all that breaks His heart can be emptied.

I want thankfulness to flow through me no matter how I feel. I want to live and breathe Jesus, so that others will see how much He loves them. I want to hold nothing back that would stop up God flowing through my life and emptying all of me that does not bring him glory.... no matter what season I may find myself dessert or in harvest. Who I am is not what I am going through.

There is some reading this that face more difficult struggles then what I am going through. I have come to realize that and put that in the right light. Maybe, you have lost a loved one, facing a sickness, worrying about your child, been abused, stuck in addiction, jobless much longer than us, without food, homeless, depressed, feel unloved, feel lost, or just without hope the list could go on and on; no matter what it is, God loves you so much. He always has and He always will. Let that bring hope and joy to your circumstance. He has a plan and it is for your good...even though you can't see what that good is yet. He will meet you right there in your need and He will provided for you....just trust in Him and see what happens.

"All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship!"

GET JOY!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Gratitude

Gratitude

Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!

Ephesians 5:20 (New Living Translation)
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:7 (New Living Translation)
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Here is a picture of my daughter at her "Thanksgiving Feast" at school a few years back!

Thanksgiving is coming up in a month. I love this holiday it is so yummy and fun! I enjoy my time with my family and of course all the food. I savor the sounds of football in the background. Conversations with family around the table are a delight. The day is full of warm fuzzies. My favorite part is when we give thanks to God for all that He has done.

However, I want me and my family to have a heart of gratitude every day. There is no one like our God and we are forever grateful for all He has done and given to us. Everyday we should shout His wonder and be deeply thankful for His goodness.

I love ardently love the Colossians passage. The word picture is amazing, it is an "If -Then" verse...

If=

1. Our roots grow down into Him

Grab a hold of Jesus!

2. Our lives be built on Him

Our foundation is Jesus and we need to build on Him all that we are and all that we do!

Then=

1. Our faith will grow strong!

If our faith is week go do the "If" part!

2. We will overflow with thankfulness

When we grab a hold of Jesus and build our lives around Him then our faith will grow strong. We will then have a deep understanding of our Great God and then how could we not then be so full of gratitude that it does not spill out all over the place??!!

Ooooooo that will preach!

*"Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"

*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids