A Grateful Heart

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,

for His loving kindness is everlasting. Psalm 107:1

 

Dear friends,

It is with a grateful heart that I write to you today.

As I sat with the Lord this morning contemplating and praying about what to write, I found my mind wandering in gratitude for the beauty of our backyard. It isn’t something you will ever see in a gardening magazine, or even a rustic farm periodical. It is however, a place my husband and I find quite peaceful and relaxing.

I am ever so grateful for the beautiful birds that have come back from a winter break. Their sweet songs bring joy to even the dullest day. So far we’ve seen Robin’s, Cardinal’s, Blue Bird’s, Woodpecker’s and an assortment of other’s I’m unsure of.

Spring has arrived early to northern Indiana. We have flowers blooming that should still be in winter slumber and trees budding that should still be bare and lifeless. Though I am a lover of winter, the warmth and beauty of this early spring brings me great joy.

I am so very grateful for my incredible husband. For the first time in our short marriage, he has found himself having to share me and my time with another man; a man I love so very much who calls me Mama. Joshua is home for a short time while he awaits entry into the Air Force. He, also, has had to learn to share. I was a single parent most of Joshua’s life, so having another man in the home now is new for him. I am so very thankful for my guys and how well they get along and have embraced one another. My three favorite men in the whole world are Jesus, Jerry and Joshua. Without either of them, my life would not be complete.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Poust

I am grateful for our good health, jobs that provide the necessities of life and a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in every night.

I am grateful for good friends who show me love and acceptance especially when I am feeling a bit discouraged.

I am grateful for you, yes you! I am grateful you take the time to read what I write. I pray always for these words to be of blessing and encouragement to you. I am grateful for how you forgive poor grammar or typed errors, bending more toward grace that comes from knowing my words are from my heart and not necessarily english teacher ready. Thank you, too, for spreading the word about this ministry. I most definitely pray what I write will encourage and help others to find their way closer to Jesus. Thank you for sharing what blesses and encourages you. Thank you.

I am so very grateful for the new things I learn each day about God and how He loves us so very much. I am grateful to know He is not a magic genie or a puppet master, but a Creator and Father who longs to be first in our lives. I am so very grateful to know my life matters to Him and that He has a plan and purpose for my every breath.

Yes, this day is a day of gratitude for sure.

Father God, You are the lover of my soul and redeemer of my faults. Thank You is never enough, but I do, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I pray our gratitude is a sweet song to Your ears. Our lives are in Your hands, our hearts are in Your keeping. In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.

Okay, it’s your turn. I am asking everyone reading this to post a comment. Yes, even you! Everyone has something to be grateful for. What are you grateful for this day? Just click the comment link below and type away. ☺

Having a bad day and can’t think of anything? That’s okay, but even in our darkest days, we can and should find gratitude.

Seriously in a funk and need prayer? Then just say I need prayer. I promise you will be lifted up to our Heavenly Father by me and other faithful readers.

Not a comment kind of person? Will you please comment anyway? What if your gratitude is just what another reader needs to hear?

Thank you in advance. I can’t wait to read about what you are grateful for!

In His embrace,

Toni

 

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27 comments to A Grateful Heart

  • Tammy  says:

    I am so very grateful for a God who loves me so completely and faithfully… esp. when I find I am thick-headed and stubborn! I am also grateful for His Word that proves He gives us everything we need to complete every day without regret and with extreme blessing. And I find myself being very grateful for a loving family that in our flaws, are learning how to live together (though our homes may be in different places as one has already left the nest) in this confusing world. I am also grateful for you, Toni, my friend! What a blessing to have a friend to come alongside us and remind us that great joy and appreciation can be found in the everyday… not just the “huge, amazing” things! Blessings to each of you today!! ((hugs)) to all my sisters in Christ!!

    • Toni  says:

      Thick headed and stubborn? You? Who knew? Ha…

      Thank you for such a lovely response Tammy!! I couldn’t agree more! We need to find the joy in all of life, even the troubling times with family. With all of our flaws and failures, Jesus loves us so very much. Yay!!

  • angie  says:

    I am thankful for Jesus and the Word of God. I love words.but I am so full of love for the word of God.

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you for posting Angie! I visited your blog and love it!! Beautiful and inspiring!
      May the Lord bless you as you continue pooring yourself into His word, in order to lift others up.

  • Monica  says:

    I am thankful and grateful for JESUS who never changes, and that I can trust HIM no matter what happens. I am thankful that HE paid the price for me and that I am not guilty, and though this life in the flesh has it’s up’s and down’s, I am most thankful for the promise that JESUS gave when HE said that HE is going to go and prepare a place for me, I look forward to that place,,thank you JESUS,,Amen!!
    ps. I am also grateful for awesome family in the LORD, and just everything and everyone,,I am feeling a little down in my spirit,,but it’s okay I belong to the KING, it won’t last,,blessings!!

    • Toni  says:

      Monica,

      The gratitude you have in spite of feeling down today is wonderful. I believe with all my heart, that when we look for and express gratitude, it does indeed lift us up out of dark places.
      Praying for you to be filled with much joy and love this day.

  • Cindy Tieman  says:

    I need prayer. LOTS of prayer please.

    • Toni  says:

      Father God, I love You more than words can say. You alone know our every thought, worry and fears. You see our tears and know what we need even before we do. Thank You for knowing what is burdening Cindy’s heart this day and for being with her during her time of need.
      I ask on behalf of Cindy for Your grace and love to poor over her and for the peace and comfort only You can bring to wash away what ever burden is so heavy on her heart.
      Father, may peace and comfort be part of Cindy’s every breath this day.
      In the matchless name of Jesus, our Savior and Friend, amen.

      And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

      • Mindy  says:

        Father God,
        I pray for Cindy today. You are always present to her. I see her crawling up into your precious folded hands and feeling the cradle of your warmth and wisdom. I am grateful for Cindy today.
        Mindy

  • Tabatha Reber  says:

    I am thankful to Him for entrusting me with the lives of my 2 boys and for my dear husband. I have the best family!! I am thankful for the bumps in the road that continually remind me of the many blessing that I have and to not take anything for granted! I am also grateful for you Toni and your wonderful words that continue to inspire me with every posting! God Bless you Toni!

    • Toni  says:

      What a blessing you are!! I know your husband and boys also feel and are incredibly blessed to have you! You rock Tabby!!

  • Samantha  says:

    Toni,
    Thank you so very much for helping us to be reminded to be truly thankful for what we have around us daily that speaks God’s love to each of us. The flowers and trees blooming early are a gentle reminder that He gives us beauty to enjoy and de-stress with.
    Thank you for planting other web sites in your message…what a great way to remind us that maybe there is someone in our lives that could use a bouquet of flowers or a note of love from us today.
    I love you sister and appreciate you and your heart…

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you so much Sam!! You are one of those blossoming flowers in the garden of faithful friends the Lord has planted in my life. Praying God’s best for you always!! Love and miss you bunches!

  • Patricia  says:

    Back at ya, sister! I am grateful for YOU, too! My heart continues to celebrate your many joys and blessings! Thanks for sharing and taking us along!

    • Toni  says:

      So glad you were blessed Pat! Praying for gratitude to be abundant for us all in spite of the enemy’s attemts to bring us down. Happy Spring!

  • Trease  says:

    Well I thank you for inviting me into your backyard this morning. I thank God for the blessing that you are to me and many many others.
    I am thankful for everything that God does for me. I have seen and felt Him with me.
    Toni, you are a blessing to be a blessing.
    Love and miss you and the guys.

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you for sharing our back yard!! You too are a blessing to me my friend!!

  • Debbie  says:

    Every day I give thanks to God for so many things in my life. Today I am especially thankful for pancakes and the warm company of my family during breakfast. Today was an unhurried morning of relaxing and laughing and good food. I can notice these small and mundane parts of my life as blessings because God has set me free. For this, I am especially thankful.
    Thank you for your wonderful newsletter that encourages me through life.

    • Toni  says:

      Debbie, thank you for such a thoughtful response! I, too, am grateful for pancakes!! In fact, I think pancakes will be on the supper time lineup this week because of you! Just like you, having fun with family on an unhurried morning is one of the most wonderful moments to give thanks for. Love it!!
      Thank you again Debbie for your thoughts in reminding us to give thanks for the simplest of blessings. He gives in so many precious ways!

      Praying the rest of your week is filled with many, many big and small blessings.

      In Him,
      Toni

  • Marg  says:

    Thank you, Toni, for the encouragement to express gratitude. I so easily forget and can take my blessings for granted. I am thankful for God’s love for me. And, I am very thankful I now know and understand this love! My heart and mind have been opened and I praise my Savior for His persistence.
    Thank you, Toni, for being my friend and catalyst in Christ!
    Love you,
    Marg
    ps GO JAMES!

    • Toni  says:

      Marg,

      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. We all forget sometimes to give thanks for so many things we are blessed to have in our lives. How sweet it is when we remember and are driven to our knees in gratitude for our salvation, knowledge of our redemption and love from our Heavenly Father.
      Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your journey!!

      Yes, James rocks!!

  • Kasi Maple  says:

    Today I am grateful for the sweet, small things in life that I tend to take for granted. Being able to put two feet on the floor when I get out of bed and walk, being able to awake my 3 small children, being able to feed and dress them before we have to rush out the door. Thankful for a car to drive, thankful for a job to drive to, thankful for coworkers who help me laugh during the day and thankful for an evening job that lifts my spirits and surrounds me with amazing people. I am grateful for all the family God had put into my life and grateful that He knows when and who to put into our lives at just the right time when we need them most. Thank you Heavenly Father for your divine love!

    • Toni  says:

      Love your gratitude list Kasi!! Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with all of us! It blesses my soul to read how others are finding true gratitude in spite of difficult circumstances. I think a grateful heart is a joyful heart.
      May the Lord of all creation bless you and your family with much love and joy. ☺

  • Mindy  says:

    I am grateful for gratefulness. It is such a wonderful CHOISE to make to be grateful. We have the ability to choose what we want in this life. Every time I am feeling crappy and irritable (and it does happen)… I notice that when I think or write down some things I am grateful for my attitude changes. NOTE: my circumstance has not changed. But my attitude about it changes.

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you Mindy for your thoughtful comment. You are so correct when you speak of gratitude not changing our circumstances, yet through our gratitude, our attitude does the changing. So thankful for that too!!

      Thank you also Mindy, for reaching out to Cindy. I love it when brothers and sisters in Christ who do not know one another, still reach out in kindness and prayer. Yay God!!

  • Morgan  says:

    Today I am thankful that my friend Nancy shared this with me. I am thankful for time spent with my stepson this week, that I could go to the gym and work out this afternoon, that I got to spend time with a friend and help her clean the new house she is moving in to, I am thankful that even though I am not working the Lord continues to provide for my family, I am thankful I have my dog and cats to keep me company when my husband isn’t home, I am thankful that God put good people in my life that care about me and pray for me. I am thankful for your lovely words! I am thankful every day that Jesus is my Savior, and love of my life!! 🙂

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you Morgan for such a lovely response. I absolutely love to read what others are grateful for! We all have different things that bring us joy. It’s so good to stop and meditate, pray and show gratitude for those things. I especially love that you are thankful for our Lord and Savior!! Where would we be without Him?

      May the Lord bless you and keep you safely in His care.

      Toni

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