Devotionals for the Heart: How God taught me to always be thankful

How God taught me to always be thankful
A devotional by Regina Marcazzo-Skarka

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

When I stood on the reception line waiting to greet attendees after my 31-year-old son’s celebration of life, I was grateful for the love I felt from family and friends who traveled from near and far, and for the kind words spoken about my son.

I knew he was a warrior for Jesus Christ and that through his love for Christ and the Godly life he modeled, this world was a better place. But the magnitude of the number of lives that were changed because of his example was mind-blowing.

After two celebrations of life, I learned that my precious boy ministered to so many different people. What was more amazing was how those who learned more about his life at the services felt the desire to change their own lives and seek Christ.

An over 80-year-old relative came up to me crying saying that she wanted to be like my son. A younger relative said it was time to rethink his life and my son’s former classmate came up sobbing and said he wanted to follow Jesus. Those words did not take away the pain of losing him, but they did demonstrate the awesome works of our God.

I chose 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as the anchor text for my devotional today because the verse relates to so many areas of life, even the hardest ones such as losing a treasured child. I could see the value of all three commands during the many months of endured hardship while he was sick.

“Rejoice always” is a command and a reminder of how we are to live at all times— no matter what is going on in our lives. Praying continually does not mean that we should sit bowing in prayer day and night, but it does refer to having an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day—and if you are anything like me, I talk to God many moments throughout the night.

I am thankful for the way God used my son to change others, to point them to Him. I am thankful that God trusted my husband and I as his parents. I strive to carry on my son’s legacy of sharing Christ with others, not with words, but with my life. I am thankful for countless blessings throughout my son’s two bouts with cancer: one when he was 18 and the other at 30. During the illnesses and in the time in between there were so many miracles and so much good living.

Will sadness and longing to see him linger? Will anger and questions asking God “Why?” continue to swirl in my mind? Of course! But one thing I am sure of is that my God is faithful and He works all for the good of those who love him.

Why do I rejoice always? It’s simple: I am a child of God and His word tells me to rejoice. Why do I pray continually? Because I need to converse with God all the time. Why should I be thankful in all circumstances? It’s also a command and it is important to note that it is “in” all circumstances, not “for” all circumstances.

When I recite the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, I realize how difficult and easy it is to say the words “rejoice” and “be thankful in all circumstances.”

In the deep sadness that I continue to feel and the longing to hug my son and tell him how much I love him I am reminded that his ministry did not end the day he took his last breath here on earth. The life he lived for Jesus remains in the minds of those who are still here, spurring them on and reminding them to make every minute count on this earth whether they are healthy or not, going through a dark time or joyfully dancing in the light. I know that is my plan.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for your love and for your perfect plan. Help us to recognize that You are in control of all things and though we may not understand the why, we can surely trust You. Help us to rejoice always, pray continually and to be thankful in all circumstances. Help us to point others to you with our lives. We love you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Even If” by Mercy Me. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Marcazzo-Skarka is a writer, a journalist, and a lover of Jesus Christ, her family, church, mission trips, travel and foreign languages. 

Having traveled to over 25 countries, her exploring the world has only just begun. She has also been part of numerous mission trips both domestic and international. She loves getting to know people, their languages and their culture. A life dream of hers is to speak five languages. So far, she speaks English, French, Italian and some Spanish. Her goal is to improve her Spanish speaking skills and to learn a language with a different alphabet, perhaps Arabic.

Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages from City University of New York, Hunter College; a Master’s Degree in Journalism from New York University; and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language from SUNY Stony Brook. Regina has studied in France. Regina has also studied, lived and worked in Italy.

She taught high school French and Italian for 17 years before retiring from teaching. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist, both freelance and as a staff writer for local Long Island, New York weeklies. She also spent two years as a United Nations employee in the Department of Public Information. She currently writes full-time for a weekly newspaper in St. Lucie County, Florida.

Regina is currently working on proposals for two books that she is writing.

She is blessed with an awesome husband of 34 years and two children, their spouses and three treasured grandchildren.

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Connect with Regina:
Website: https://reginamarcazzoskarka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipeoutworry/
Email: ginamarcazzo@gmail.com

A message, song and e-card for your heart on Valentine's Day 2020!

Dearest of Hearts,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Always remember that YOU are LOVED by the Creator of the Universe (GOD)!

Listen to this song and receive your e-card below. 

God bless you!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring

Founder of "God is Love" blog

~*~

A song for your heart:

~*~

And an e-card to celebrate this special day:

Devotionals for the Heart: Refreshed

A Refreshing New River
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the field will thank me, the jackals and owls too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my people can be refreshed.” 

 ~Isaiah 43:19-20 (NLT)

Recently, my husband and I drove south, down the I-5 corridor, through Northern California. We were taking the trip to witness my Grandfather’s entombment. The landscape was dry, rocky riverbeds laid open, and trees reached long arms in search of water. Despite the winter season, the terrain cried of its recent forest fires. I had been made aware of the drought and wild fires through the National news. However, driving through this territory, in the tracks of death and grief, I felt akin to a dry riverbed and an outstretched tree. My heart was cracked and brittle from parched hours of watching a precious life go. My eyes were seeing in this landscape what my heart was grieving. God used this trip to help me see more fully His love.

God does not leave His children in a wasteland. His heart is for renewal of life! Scripture repeats this beating of God’s heart like the hospital monitor I had spent so many hours watching. The Israelites entered the promised land (Joshua 24:28), Job’s fortunes were restored (Job 42:10), and Jesus came that we might have a life of freedom, good pastures and abundance (John 10:9-10). The constant, familiar beating comforts, but change sets off alarms throwing me into a fear that keeps me staring at death rather than trusting God and His renewal process.

For my Grandfather, the changes in his heart rhythms were indications of something new. For months he had been praying for his life to come to an end because that life had become his dry wasteland. I heard him say repeatedly, “I am ready to go,” yet our last conversation was over “one regret.” That regret kept my Grandfather’s eyes fixed on the wasteland and tethered to his life. His eyes, like that of the jackal or owl were staring at empty burrows and dry riverbeds for life.

It was here, along the California freeway, that I too found a choice in where I cast my eyes. I could stare long at regret and loss and choose to live in desolation and sadness, or I could look to something new. Now following the Interstate northbound, we headed home. Having turned, this same pathway now revealed something new…snow in the mountains! Little did I know that while I was traveling in the desert, my eyes downcast, God was preparing refreshment on the high hills. God's magnificent nature was doing what it thrives on doing…renewal! I could see it! He had already begun storing up the waters that would refresh this dry and thirsty land!

In an instant I felt refreshed! My heart swelled with joy and my spirit knew hope renewed! The compass on my outlook on Grandfather's life had been reset to true north. My eyes were no longer downcast nor my grieving heart. My Grandfather had lived a lifetime with Jesus and was now resting in peace with the hope of eternity. The California landscape might have to continue to be as patient as an old man living a challenging life, but I know I can access the refreshment today.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior. 

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community. 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.