“Remember when we painted these walls blue? And I love the way the dogwood tree blooms in the spring…."
Last week, I found myself driving around the city in my car, carrying with me a mind and heart heavy with what seemed like a hundred little things to take care of or to be concerned about. The world around me was bursting forth with color and fresh springtime life, the sun was warm, and the day was lovely but my heart was still heavy.
The song that came on next was this one, our song, called "Home." And these lyrics spoke to me as if they were brand new.
I remember when I wrote it, one evening when I sat in our living room alone with a heavy heart. The journey of the writing of this song was one of choosing to sing about the beautiful things I saw in our life and to be thankful for them. The process of singing about these things, identifying them, then rejoicing in our blessings and our home became a victory over a heavy heart.
I write this post today because as I made my coffee this morning, I was in awe of the beautiful white blooms of our dogwood tree right outside our window. These are the ones I sang about. I was reminded of this song. I was reminded of the moment God led me to open my eyes of my heart to see His love all around me in our life, so I did that again today. Oh how I love those white blossoms.
The view from my kitchen sink, with our lovely dogwood tree out back and my banner that says "Joy."
The thing I love about God, and I really KNOW this to be true, is that no matter how downcast we may be, He is always there with a portion of joy and peace to give us. Thankfulness postures our heart to receive it. Thankfulness is victorious. Even when we struggle to be thankful, we struggle to see the beauty, the Lord is patient and helps us to lift our eyes in our darkness to see the sun… he helps us hold on until the dawn comes.
Here is a verse for you to soak in today. There are some beautiful words, some beautiful truths in this Psalm. Let it wash over your heart.
Psalm 138
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.