Joy in my Heart

Which is more – the gratitude conjured up by a man’s strength when “grain and wine abound” , or a thankful heart harvested by the Holy Spirit when life isn’t easy?

I have had both joy and pain over the holidays. I have celebrated thanksgiving as a freshly engaged and extremely excited-for-the-future teenager. I have celebrated thanksgiving as a very-in-love newlywed. I have celebrated thanksgiving just three days after giving birth to our beautiful boy. Gratitude flowed with ease.

But I have also lived through thanksgivings of difficulty – a rough season in marriage because long work hours made for tense, tired people. Heartbroken from a recent miscarriage. A nearby due date that was not celebrated because the twins were in heaven.

The holidays can be extra special, or extra hard… sometimes a mix of both. During my last thanksgiving before having our son, God had taught me how to choose gratitude. To enjoy the little things, praise the Giver, and remember He is enough when holidays are more painful than not.

There is so much I am grateful for! I am thankful for the incredible gift of being a mother. I am thankful for the sweetness of being a wife. I love my pup, enjoy my home, get many smiles from my extended family, and though I struggle with some health issues, I am able-bodied.

But what I am most thankful for is Christ. His blood satisfied the wrath of God against me. His death and resurrection reconciled me to God and made a way for a relationship. I’m not alone, but instead am deeply loved, held fast, promised new life, and sovereignly under the will of God. I have nothing to fear. And these are the things I will hold onto today.

I am also thankful for prayer. As I continue in a season of waiting, this is my cry to God:

“1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4

Praise the Giver. Appreciate the gifts. Serve others. And remember that God loves a heart that is rejoicing in Him.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Grace

© Grace Baeten 2021