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!