Grace and Gratitude

Colossians 3:15-17

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Today for Thanksgiving I wanted to stop and think over this past year and what I am grateful for. A year ago I was trying to patch things up with my husband and work on our marriage. Little did I know the distance I felt in our relationship at this time, was partially from an affair he was involved in. I reflect on the confusion and rejection I felt then, to the healing and hope I have now. So here are some of my thoughts for this Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for a loving God who has been with me and been faithful to me even when my spouse wasn’t.

I am thankful for the grace of God working in my husband’s life and turning him away from further destruction and pain. As well as the grace God has given me to forgive and fight for our marriage.

I am thankful for truth. Though it was painful to hear the confession of his affair, we both could not live in the intimacy or honesty we are now, without that.

I am thankful for support. I was terrified of moving and leaving my family and support system. But God has provided a wonderful church family and friends who have been the hands and feet of Jesus to me in this season.

I am thankful for my husband. I always thought I would walk away and never look back if he had an affair. But I realize how much I do love him and now that Jesus is the center of his life, the character, talents and friendship he possesses are truly magnified and beautiful.

And lastly I am thankful for hope. Hope in our future. Hope to rewrite the history of our marriage, to begin again.

I stumbled on today’s verse in Colossians 3. However it isn’t new to me. But it is a special verse because an aunt and uncle of mine prayed over and picked this verse for me and my life. I am musical thus singing and praising God is part of a gift He’s given me. But the part I have to remember is to sing with thankfulness and gratitude. In my trip to the mountains after my husband’s confession, this is what God layed on my heart, to praise Him. When I wasn’t singing on the mountain trails I became anxious and weary. However when I praised Him my spirits were lifted, my focus shifted to Him, not my circumstances.

Friend I pray you are comforted today knowing that no matter the betrayal God loves you and He cares. This may be a difficult season, but try to open your heart to God and see the blessings you do have. A warm bed, a cozy cup of coffee, friends, sunshine, crisp autumn air, the smell of the fireplace, a beloved pet, music, God’s word to you, etc.

A wonderful book with remarkable lessons and a journey in thanksgiving, is “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read.