“The most powerful weapon against your daily battles is finding the courage to be grateful anyway.” -Unknown

I looked over to my husband this morning as he was sound asleep, and I am reminded that he is a gift from God. I can remember all those times I knelt by his empty bedside and pleaded with my Heavenly Father to have my husband back. Here he is now, my answered prayer! How do I forget to be grateful sometimes? That was nothing short of my own personal miracle. I am overwhelmed with the GRACE God showered us, and all of the sudden today becomes one of those days where all I see is how blessed we are.

Our marriage is a gift.

Sitting in church together is a gift.

“Family night out”…gift.

Holidays together are gifts.

A sweet text exchange… a gift.

Having a busy, normal day around the house all of the sudden becomes a TREASURE.

Our life is far from perfect. We still have our struggles and mental battles just like everyone. There are good days, there are bad days, and there’s all the days in between. But when I take a moment to see all the goodness of the Lord woven through it… I find myself at peace and satisfied with where we are today. I even find that my prayers for the future aren’t heavy with worry and fear as they sometimes are. I am more positive that God will do, after rehearsing what God has done.

That’s the effects of gratitude - peace and joy in the middle of imperfection and real-life.

”Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1Thessalonians 5:18

I was thinking about this the other day, as I read the above verse from Thessalonians… What if the word “this” isn’t referring to the act of giving thanks? What if it stands for whatever it is we are going through in our lives??? For this (fill in the blank here)...is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We know He has brought us to this place, and our trials certainly don’t take him by surprise. So, then, this is that “everything” where we are told to give thanks, too. Imagine how pleased our Heavenly Father is when we can praise and thank Him… even in THIS.

I don’t know your story, or what challenges you and your spouse have faced. I don’t know where you’re at in your recovery and reconciliation. But I just want to encourage you to look around for those little gifts today. Each one that you find, be sure to thank the Lord for. Think of your prayers that have been answered and just smile! God is still in the business of restoration. Aren’t you glad for that?

Don’t forget… He still has a plan and a purpose for you. But in the healing process, let’s not forget the things we have to be grateful for already.

Your story is still being written, and its gonna be a great one!

Psalm 103:2 - “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:”