The bank is sending low balance alerts, the pantry has only the random canned goods that don’t seem to go with anything, the car needs repair as does the roof over your head.
Perhaps divorce papers have been sent, and like the swing of a wrecking ball you see your once put together life crumbling like a demolished building.
Maybe it’s the doctor’s visit. The kind nurse escorting you to an unknown room where the doctor begins to deliver life changing news that it’s terminal, that it’s back, that there aren’t any more options.
The phone call in the middle of the night that your love was lost in an accident.
It’s the son or daughter that can’t overcome addiction. It’s bringing chaos to your home and heart. No amount of begging or pleading seems to get through to them.
The desperate desire to conceive and the running out of time, resources and chances.
The crippling depression no one sees on the outside. Your heart is pained and physical body immovable. Not one friend even seems to notice.
The memories from what might seem a lifetime ago haunting you at every turn and sabotaging your present.
Maybe things aren’t so crushing but stealing your joy just the same. A stolen wallet, misplaced keys, the boss is grouchy, the kids are messy, your spouse is thoughtless.
Dreams spanning a lifetime seem still so far out of reach.
Life is difficult; relationships induce strain, work brings on burnout, responsibilities are overwhelming.
I say to you, friend, be thankful. Be thankful for we have NOT been put on this Earth to walk alone. We don’t have to suffer silently. It is not necessary to bear all the burden. Your strength will be bolstered, our drive enhanced, blessings revealed. We will be given the opportunity to run this race, we call life, well.
Our thankfulness and joy go hand in hand; the true key to unlocking relief, comfort and peace. We take an account of what we have and down to the smallest possession whether it be a physical item or the very breath filling our lungs we say thank you. Thank you, God, for your good and perfect gifts.
Speak your thankfulness. Speak your joy into existence. Say it loud, say it proud. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thankfulness and joy are not an event or a place. It cannot be visited by boat or train. It cannot be purchased at the store.
Thankfulness is a state of being, a mind set, what your heart and soul strive for. Thankfulness and joy break the chains of our captors and release our strength to move forward and overcome.
On days we find ourselves in debilitating circumstances we don’t let those forces direct the thankfulness and joy of our heart. Gather the knowledge, take account of your pain, look for the blessings and say thank you.
But where are my blessings?
Thank you. Thank you, You have chosen me. Thank you, You have chosen me to be the bearer of this burden that I may make it easier and lighter for someone else. Let me be a beacon of hope for those that may be similarly afflicted. Thank you for trusting me to be the shepherd of this message and let me deliver it well. Thank you for the people you will bring to my life that will do the same for me. Thank you for a community, a family, that does or will welcome and love me as You have.
When you find yourself questioning, wavering in your faith, do Not retreat to the caves of pity and doubt. Don’t move into the quarry of loathing, anger and despair. Instead, climb to the mountain top. Release your anchor of hope, lift your arms in thankfulness and smile a joyous smile. The tears my run and your legs may shake but you are being regenerated and refreshed. You don’t know when you are on prayer away from a break thru.
Your joy and thankfulness will carry you; carry you to a hopeful place where possibilities come flooding back and restoration and redemption are at your fingertips.
Don’t give up! Don’t sell away your beauty for slush and muck in return. Don’t give away what God will use for good if you let Him. Invite Him in. Yoke up with the One that makes our burdens light and our paths straight. Partner and submit to God. He created you. He has a calling for you. You are His first choice. And He loves you enough to sacrifice His son for you.
In closing, my friends, be thankful! Be thankful for who you are, for what you’ve experienced, for where you have been and where you will go. Be thankful to God who is a good, good father. The Lord hears you. The Lord loves you. The Lord brings victory for you.
Be thankful.
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About the Author: Jesse Crutcher is a stay-at-home mother of four, ages 11, 8, 6 and 2. She married her high school sweetheart 15 years ago and I’m as crazy about him today as I was then. He is recently retired from the Infantry in the US Army and currently working on building his insurance business. She loves to read, write, spend a day at the pool with the kids and binge watching Netflix. An ice-cold Coca-Cola or a sweetened coffee keeps her going when the days are long. The Lord is her shepherd and Jesus her Savior. She loves loud worship music and singing (badly) along. The desire of her heart is that her friends and family will be reunited with her in paradise after this life has passed. She loves doing life with the people God has gifted to her, including her children, spouse, parents, and friends. Blessings flow!
