Haven Notes vol. 12
Gifts, Gratitude, and the Giver
Welcome to Haven Notes! This is a weekly recap of things over the past week that have moved my heart with joy, trial, or blessing and have led me to find havens of rest with the Lord. I never know exactly what will come up here, but I do know the Lord is faithful through it all. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get to it!
A Simple Moment
Well happy Friday, my friends. Spring is peeking out here in Indiana and yesterday I had the simple joy of taking a walk with my dog and my 12 year old. The sun was shining and the breeze blew gently over us. We chatted about school, cute little kids playing on the street, the changing season, and how much we were enjoying our St. Joseph Feast Day Starbucks treat.
It was uneventful, mundane, normal moment.
And yet it wasn’t.
It was a moment that I will cherish because she is my youngest and they are all growing up so fast and the more time that passes the more I want to slow it down and savor it.
It was a moment to observe the stunning creation of God, and how he truly has a time for everything: the dormancy of winter leading into the new life of spring, awakening the earth and our hearts to new opportunities to lean into His goodness.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1
It was a moment that I won’t take for granted because so many families are suffering with cancer, illness, tragedy and grief… and in this moment in time, we are not.
I have been thinking about that simple walk all day, and why it impacted me so much. Perhaps because I’m coming out of a very long and persistent illness and just needed fresh air to reframe, refresh, and renew my heart, this little gift was so much more precious to me.
Gratitude for the Gifts
When I took it to prayer, the overarching word that bubbled up from my soul was gratitude.
Gratitude for it all — my persistent illness, that simple moment, the joy … it is all pure gift, and who am I to be loved by a God whose majesty and power and providence literally never ceases?
He is a continual Giver.
Who am I to be called mama by these precious souls who constantly amaze me by shining their light and love in this world that needs it so much? (Let’s be honest, I need it so much!)
He is a generous Giver.
Who am I to be so loved and beloved by my husband, who has and continues to constantly pour out love and provision and protection to this family? Many would call me ‘lucky,’ but I would say that I am blessed. Blessed to have paid attention when God brought this man into my life almost 30 years ago.
He is an intentional Giver.
Now, let me assure you: we are real people with real sins and struggles and messiness. By no means would I imply anything else. But we are His beloved children, over and above all, and that, my friends, is the blessed and beautiful truth that sets us all free.
Free to love.
Free to give and receive.
Free to accept our identity as beloved ones of our continually generous and beautifully intentional Giver.
Grateful, indeed.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. —Heb 12:28