I’m not sure there are many words to really capture 2020. When I was brainstorming how to put together this special series, here are the titles that came to mind.
- Dumpster Fire Devotional
- How to Be Grateful When Things Suck
- Dealing With Crap
LOL. It resonates right? We’ve all experienced different pain points in 2020, some more severe than others. We’ve lost people. We’ve lost jobs. We’ve been sick ourselves. We’ve been discouraged, frustrated, and uncertain.
I lost my dad at the holidays and I always think of him during this time. Something about the holidays always makes that pain more real, maybe so God can help us work it out. I remember my mom said to me during Christmas that year he died that, “We do this first.” We celebrate Jesus first. We put Jesus first. It gave me permission to not let my grief steal the holidays.
I don’t know where you are today or what journey 2020 has brought you on, but I want you to take a moment today to prepare your heart. As we walk through each of these days ahead in this new series, I want them to remind your heart that gratitude is a lifeline to Joy. Doesn’t mean it’s easy. I get that. But we have to start somewhere. It only makes sense to start with Jesus.
Today as you prepare your heart take a moment to pray this prayer:
Jesus, will you help us redeem 2020? Will you help my heart be open to gratitude? If I’m honest, I don’t always want to be grateful. I want to sit in my worry and discontent, my fear and my frustration. Lord, I give this all over to you. And I will give it to you day in and day out, again and again. Thank you, Jesus for meeting me right where I am. In the mess. Amen.
Join us for 14 days as we share stories of gratitude. Are you ready? Let’s reclaim our joy!
-Rebecca
PS – you can text joy to 89419 for uplifting messages throughout the week! We’ll help you keep choosing joy!
