As I sit here praying and asking God to guide me as I type what He would lay on my heart for this first blog post… I am reminded of all that He is and has done for me and my heart is overflowing with gratitude.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a ladies’ bible study group and the passage being studied and discussed was Romans 5. The verses that truly touched me that evening were: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation (or hardship) produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Allow me to let you into my heart and share what God has been showing me lately…
As a new, first time mom, many nights have been spent sitting in rocking chair in my baby’s room at all hours of the night staring into the face of a perfect gift from God and wondering what I have done to deserve such a treasure. I remember praying and begging God for a child. He answered my prayer almost a year ago and life has never been the same. Being a mother and entering into this new role that God has for me has made me incredibly HAPPY, it has brought me to my knees more than ever, it has been so incredibly hard but more importantly, it has taught me more than I could have imagined. I have learned that happiness is fleeting but His joy is everlasting. It’s a wild ride to be given the most incredible gift you could ever imagine receiving while, all at the same time, realizing that you are not always equipped to handle it all and that, most times, relying on your natural and human strength is not an option. But, turning to the One who can change your heart and mindset in an instant is the only way forward. The sweetest words I have ever heard are ”My grace is enough.” This is a promise that we must all hold on to.
As time goes on and life’s challenges bring us before His throne of grace and mercy, what I keep hearing Him say is, “A grateful heart is a joyful heart and a pure heart.” A grateful heart sees no evil, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not arrogant and so forth. (I know the Bible mentions this about love but gratitude is what God has been imprinting on my heart.)
Through life’s hardships, I want to choose to be grateful and remain in a state of joy. I want to choose joy regardless of my circumstances because joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I want to remember God’s goodness upon my life and be so thankful to the point that I am humbled by it. If God could send His ONLY son to die for me, for my salvation, that I would live eternally, how could I not be so thankful that nothing else would rob me of the gratitude and joy of my salvation. It is easier said than done, I know, which is why we are all works in progress and He knows that.
A prayer for us: I am so thankful for a Savior that not only died for me but, in every way, was a human just like me. He knows exactly what we are feeling and going through and He loves us through it all. I hope that today you will choose joy.