Year seven together was rough. Like the roughest we’d ever been through.

We’d been broke together.

Well off together— then broke again.

We’d been to court for adoption battles.

Lost our first daughter together— and the second one was very sick last year.

We’d had a thanksgiving in quarantine and Christmas in the ER.

We’d had the most amazing giggles, and the most horrible fights.

We knew we were made for each other. We didn’t rush into marriage— we both knew that this was the LORD’s pick for our life together.

But so tempting was it for us to quit.

It was so hard…

So painful.

We both brought up divorce or separation multiple times. Clothes thrown in the pickup. Considered selling the house or one spouse moving out.

We went to counseling; and even pulled our friends and family into the gross drama we never wanted to experience or let others know about.

But we learned the power of a covenant over the ease of a contract. We learned to be thankful for the good times and endure in love with the hard times.

Our marriage made it by the power of forgiveness. We had to forgive one another and ourselves.

The only way they could forgive one another was to know the irrevocable, unimaginably amazing grace and love from Jesus. It might seem like a Sunday school answer to say I’m thankful for Jesus this year; but it’s so true. It’s one of those monumental moments in my life where I know it is all Him.

Because of Jesus I still have a family.

Because of Jesus I still have joy.

Because of Jesus I still have my best friend and love him more now than ever before.

Because of Jesus this thanksgiving will mean more than any other.

Because of Jesus I get to live today with a smile of gratitude. He saved my family.

Once more, I feel a whole new level of deepening compassion for my fellow friends who have also been in a hard place or still surviving a season of grief.

Some relationships recover and some take a different turn. Divorce is heavy; but regardless of the outcome in your life—I’m still thankful you are here.

I’m still thankful that you chose to dust off your shoes and ask the LORD to lead your day today. In that way, we are very much the same. We need Him the same ways and in the same depths. I need Him everyday to find the joy and love to freely give to others— and bless my family around me.

We all make mistakes, but forgiveness combined with new mercies everyday truly is something that sets my heart on the path to overflow with thanksgiving.

I’ve fallen, but He raised me again.

I was broken, but He healed my wounds.

My mouth was poison, but He brought me kindness filled encouragement.

I’m so thankful He continues to give me the opportunity to serve women everyday around the world.

I’m praying a heart of gratitude for you this week.

Jesus changes everything. I want Him to change everything for you too…

Always,

Rach

Psalm 100:4 (New International Version)

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Proverbs 24:16a (New International Version)

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,