The concept of gratitude has been on my mind all week. It might be in part because one of the three angel-card words sitting on my desk right now is gratitude (along with “trust” and “purification”). But it is more than that. I have come to realize how being grateful for all the people and blessings in my life this week has made the struggles so much easier to handle.
Much to my dismay, my neck has really started hurting again and radiating pain down my arm. It’s been over a year since I had epidural cortisone injections that took away this constant tight spot and pain, and I had come to really like being mostly pain free. Today in particular it has been difficult to concentrate even with Aleve and other pain killers.
And yet I feel joy in my heart. I am grateful for the warmth and sunshine recent weather has brought. I am grateful for my wonderful husband and son. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ, both as part of my local church and my blogging buddies. I am grateful for my job and my boss. I am grateful for the opportunity to see Third Day in concert next week, and even meet the band before the concert. I am grateful that I get to go on a trip to New York City with my family in the near future, and that I have found someone trustworthy to care for my pets and house while I am away. I’m also grateful for those loving pets that need care while I’m gone. I am grateful that I can pay my bills, feed my family, have clean clothes to wear, and have a nice modest house to live in.
But more than all of that, I have been feeling grateful lately that Jesus loves me and cares about my every need. I have been feeling grateful for the power of the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and help me grow in my walk with the Lord. I am grateful for the faith that I have been blessed with and that God the Father chose to call me to His Son. I am grateful for His Word that guides me and the freedom to read my Bible and worship my God whenever I want.
When I think of all that I have to be grateful for, a little pain in the neck doesn’t seem like too much to bear. Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
My soul is at rest and for this I am most grateful.