The Lord Gives Joy

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God is so good, and yet I started out this week not wanting to be grateful at all--missing my family afar, missing playdates and friends, and being irritable with my husband and children. Sometimes being miserable seems easier and more satisfying than obedience. 

Maybe I'm not alone in this struggle with melancholy, the struggle to even want to be grateful, forgetting that each breath of life is grace in view of what I deserve (hell)! But the Lord is good to give me even the willingness to praise Him when I ask/plead/cry out!

Then the Lord brings this to mind, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)

Lord, please give me the grace and even the willingness to be steadfast in trial, to praise You!

Then, this morning, I was reminded, "and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Cor. 5:15)

Living for myself would be to continue in self-pity and ingratitude and resentment, but that's part of the "old me" and is not supposed to characterize me anymore. That "old me" died with Christ so that I could live for Him! Thank you, Savior, for your death and Your life! Please help me to live in joy and gratitude and faithful obedience as is honoring to You.

Thankful for these (undeserved) blessings this week!
  • Kids laughing together
  • Micaiah and Daddy reading Bible stories together last night
  • A low-hanging branch for the kids to swing
  • Relaxed summer mornings
  • My husband's desire to protect his family
  • Justin's sweet patience with me 
  • Work for my husband
  • Present good health of our family
  • The Lord's giving me a joyful heart again
  • The scalpel of the word of God
  • Birthday money and elbow grease to clean our kitchen cabinets--hoping to give them a facelift soon!
  • Ladies' time on Thursday!
  • "Ranger Joe" on Sundays for the children to enjoy
  • Trash and recycling collection (as I dump a full bag into a bin). Where would we put those bags otherwise?
  • A growing vegetable garden (So glad I didn't up-earth everything after all!)
  • Sunflowers that are as tall as I am!
  • A new nest in the bluebird house
  • A book of paper crafts from my sister. The kids love them. We'll have to get them out again!
  • Bubbles with little surprise toys inside for the children
  • New home school books for this coming year! There's nothing like starting fresh!

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