Thursday, September 22, 2011

Gratitude and Joy Intertwined

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.  
~Karl Barth





RB replaced our totaled van with a car.  When pondering the pros and cons of our choice, I reminded him that we could hold hands riding in a car.  I'm not sure that it weighed in on the final decision, but it sure added to my delight in his choice.  When our fingers are intertwined, my heart is contented.

My RB and I -- we go together.  Like Salt and Pepper, Graham Crackers and Milk, Apple Pie and Cheese. Gratitude and Joy.  When we have a grateful heart, joy is always there, intertwined like RB's and my hands.


As I decorated the house for fall last week, the feeling returned -- the acute awareness that this time of year is for the grateful. Maybe because it's my favorite season.  I love stepping out my door, feeling the crisp cool air hit my face, and walking through the crunchy carpet of fallen leaves.  I'm always grateful when God changes the green clothing of the leafy trees into party dresses of reds, oranges and yellows.  The scents from the candles -- pumpkin, cider, cloves and cinnamon -- they all add to my love of fall.




My joy in fall is as deep as my gratitude.  They go hand in hand.  As the candle flames dance, so my heart dances when I begin to think how blessed I really am.


My dear love of thirty-nine years
My university girl and the gentle boy who makes her eyes sparkle
My dark-haired girl staying in Jesus' house
My beautiful firstborn and her dear husband
The super hero boy with his mommy's eyes
The little boy with big boy glasses and adorable freckles
The sweet girl with curls as bouncy as she is
The little one who keeps us smiling

These are mine to be thankful for.
Mine who turn my gratitude into joy.











My parents, who ride in their car, fingers intertwined
My sister, eternally cheerful, yet sorrowful
My brother, once younger, yet now seems older
His wife who makes him happy
And my dear sister-in-law enjoying California's sun

These, too, are mine to be thankful for.  Mine who turn my gratitude into joy.

My church with the Shepherd who leads us, and his lovely wife
My friends, my youthful ones who share my school memories
My friends, the Bedford ones -- those we worked with and the congregation
My friends, the new Muncie ones who welcomed and accepted
My friends, the little sister one and the creative one
My friends, the ones I visit in blog land

These, too, are mine to be thankful for.
Mine who turn my gratitude into joy.



I know that Gratitude and Joy are intertwined.  I've felt it, known it in the deepness of my heart.  Just as deeply sensed is my gratitude for my Heavenly Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit.  His blessings never cease!
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Refrain:

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

37 comments:

Blessed Beyond a Doubt... said...

Thank you for sharing your heart today. Joy is intertwined with gratitude. Beautiful words.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I just decorated my house, too. Wish you could pop in for tea.

Fondly,
Glenda

Misty said...

Oh how I love this post, makes me feel warm inside. Thank you for sharing.

Elizabethd said...

What beautiful words you have posted today. Joy and gratitude...they cant be separated, can they?

Mindy said...

A refreshing perspective on the day! Thanks!

Esther Asbury said...

Fall is my absolute favorite season too! It always make me nostalgic and thoughtful -- like you --- thankful for the MANY blessings in my life! More to count with each passing year!

Joan Hall said...

Pamela - this is lovely. I could see, feel, and smell autumn! It is also my favorite time of year.

I love how the Creator made the different seasons - each one has its own beauty.

Many blessings,
Joan

Ann Jones said...

I love autumn, especially anything with pumpkin :) Lovely post, I bet your house looks very autumn like!

Little Birdie Blessings said...

Pamela, thanks for this reminder, and for closing this post with Great is Thy Faithfulness. One of my favorite hymns. "Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."

Thinking of you with your empty nest. Saying prayers for your daughter. ~ Abby

Anita Diaz said...

Pamela, just a beautiful post and so inspiring. You are blessed and obviously a blessing to others for sure. I love that hymn so much too. Have a great weekend:-)

Esther Joy said...

Gratitude certainly gives a great attitude, doesn't it?

As always, thanks for your encouraging words on my posts!

Shanda said...

That is my favorite hymn!
What a blessing to have children following the Lord. Such beautiful pictures.

Rina Peru said...

The practice of gratitude is such a beautiful thing. My personal motto is: "To live in daily thanksgiving is to live in daily joy!"
That lovely hymn - I sing it to the Lord. It's a declaration of His goodness and unfailing love.
Thank you so much for your regular visits to my place and for your heartwarming messages.

Have a blessed weekend,
Rina

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

There is so much to give thanks to God for. Your family are beautiful, but best of all, they know the Lord.The photos are such happy loving ones. Beautiful memories forver to remain. God bless you all always.

LeAnn said...

This was a delightful post. I enjoyed your thoughts on fall; I too love this time of year. I loved your gratitude list and I do think that being grateful and joyful; go together well. Loved the pictures and especially the tender thoughts on family.
Blessings to you and keep on enjoying the moments.

Sharon said...

Pamela, this was beautiful.

Yes, gratitude and joy must be intertwined. In fact, if I feel like I've lost my joy, it's a good thing to start counting those blessings! Joy is sure to follow.

I loved your listing of the things you are grateful for - your family is lovely, and beloved, I can tell.

I've got to admit, even though I'm a summer girl through and through - I do enjoy the new "crisp" in the air, and I absolutely love the smell of pumpkin cinnamon spice candles!

GOD BLESS!

Carrie said...

This post is full of gratitude and love. What a wonderful family you have!

Anonymous said...

Pamela...thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am new at this and I appreciate the encouragement.
I love the idea of this blog... 3 generations blogging together.
Your list of thankfulness are just lovely.
Glad you stopped by my place so I could find you.
Blessings~

Vilisi said...

I love how you weave your words and ideas! Thank you for stopping by both my blogs and leaving such great comments. God bless. :)

Brenda said...

What a great reminder to focus on the positive things in our lives and give thanks to God for them. Then we are rich in a way the world doesn't describe as rich. Thanks for a peaceful post.

Cathy said...

A very beautiful post, as always, Dear. You are truly blessed. I think you should write a book. :) Blessings ~

Anonymous said...

So true. A grateful heart is a joyful one.

Amy said...

What a wonderful post! Fall is my favorite season as well. It is such a joy to me to read your wonderful list of blessings. What a blessed woman you are <3

Renee said...

What a lovely post, Pamela. There is something about fall that brings us joy isn't there. I like the idea of it being a season of gratitude...for harvest, for the beauty. Your post has brought a smile to my lips and joy to my heart as I think of my own list.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is so nice to read.....all the gratitude. We were driving home today from an event and that's what we did....all of us saying what we're grateful for. It feels so good to do that and it feels so good to read about someone else doing it. Hope you have a great week Pamela.....☺

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Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Oh .... that HYMN! So glad you ended your post with the words of that musical treasure. Blessings to you, Pamela.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful...holding hands...and the change of the season, the open gates for gratefulness...Amen

Anonymous said...

All these thankful words are so lovely. Glad I stopped by this morning.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Dear Pamela,
What a joy to come and read your post, bursting with thankfulness and gratitude to our God who loves us and cares for us! It is truly a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing and for your visit. It always makes my heart happy to hear from you. Have a beautiful day, my friend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Charlotte said...

Thank you for sharing these blessings with us. You certainly do have a lot to be thankful for. Love your fall decorations.
Blessings,
Charlotte

One Mom's Opinion said...

beautifully written!

SRKindred said...

I stumbeled upon your blog today and must say I rather enjoyed it! I am also from around Muncie, IN. (closer to parker city). Thanks for being a blessing to others.
-Rhoda
www.srkindredspirits.blogspot.com

Ruth said...

The gift of family and friends is truly cause for joy. I'm grateful for great-full blessings from our Father!
Have a good week, Pamela.

Karen said...

Just beautiful. Bless you!

Lynn said...

Reading this beautiful post is like coming into a room, turning on the lamp, lighting a pumpkin scented candle and having soft music in the background. Cozy, warm, blessed. Another heartfelt post. Thank you Pamela. I am so thankful that I can get to know you better, read your inspiring writing, even in the middle of the night in jammies and barefeet! Blessings,
Lynn

Denise said...

Love this time of year, so grateful for all the blessings in my life! Beautiful post and lovely words...

Blessings and hugs for a thankful holiday!
Denise