Aware and Grateful

Please welcome my sweet friend, Jodie Barrett, as she contributes to our season of thanksgiving. Leave your comments at the bottom of this post for a CHANCE TO WIN this autographed two set bundle of ‘A Thankful Heart~30 Days to the Grateful Life by Mitzi Neely and Everyday Thanksgiving, Living a Life Full of Gratitude by Jana Kennedy-Spicer with Jodie Barrett.

By Jodie Barrett

The pot on the stove bubbled away and my mind began to remember.

Something about the aroma of food does that to me. On this particular day my uncle was lying in a bed 15 minutes away taking what would be some of his last earthly breaths. My cousin was driving in to be at his dad’s bedside. My mom was keeping watch minute by minute, as his caretaker.

And I was cooking soup. Feeding others is my love language.

Memories began to flood my heart and I was suddenly aware of what dire times can do to us. They can break us or they can make us. This day, this hard season for my family, I believe, was making us. Making us stronger; drawing us nearer one another and allowing us to provide comfort to the hurting.

Rushing off to get ready I began to sing a familiar song, “In remembrance of me break this bread”.

Jesus, I’m so grateful.

I am aware that even in this place of hard, you are present. Your sacrifice humbles me. Help me be grateful, even for this experience.

Remembering who God is, what God has done, and what God can do brings us to an awareness. And awareness that has the power to usher in a spirit of gratitude in our hearts. And gratitude breaks chains, brightens dark seasons, and fills us with hope.

Have you experienced a time of pain? Perhaps you are walking in a season of dire and hard today.

That season may feel endless. It doesn’t have to.

Psalm 75:1 says, “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wonderous deeds.”

God’s name is always near.

When we are struggling, we can whisper to Him. When others hurt we can call out His name. When last breaths are taken, we can trust that He is with us. In endless seasons of hard we can have hope, because God comes near and says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

We can give thanks every day. His name is always near.

When we are hurting and wading through things that we can’t understand; when we can’t seem to find anything in the present to rejoice about, we can recount his wonderous deeds.

That’s where my heart was when I was stirring that pot of soup. I remembered my mother and how she cooked when I was growing up. My favorite meals are hers. I remembered my granny and how she nurtured and loved her children and her grandchildren. I remembered my friends that pray for me and my family.

I remembered Jesus.

Nothing is greater to remember. In remembrance of His death I will break bread and be ever grateful.

Can I encourage your heart today? Can I urge you to become aware and grateful?

A sprit of gratitude can strengthen us.

A spirit of gratitude can break chains.

A spirit of gratitude can brighten dark season and fill us with hope.

Joyfully Yours~ Jodie

Lord,

You are good and your love endures forever. Thank you for always being near. Thank you for all you have done and all you will do. Your faithfulness holds us up. Your love covers us up. Your goodness fills us up. Help us be aware of You even in the hard and difficult. Cultivate our gratitude and let it flourish in our hearts.

Amen

Jodie Barrett is a wife, mother, homemaker, office manager, teacher and speaker. She resides in the small town of Roanoke Rapids, NC and attends Calvary Baptist Church. She enjoys using the gifts that God has given her combined with wisdom gained from the Word and life experiences to motivate and encourage women to strength their faith and fitness. Catch up with Jodie on her blog at FaithfullyFollowingMinistries.org