Week 5: Grateful for Love—Then and Now
This part of my story holds both deep sorrow and unexpected joy.
I will always be grateful for the godly man I was privileged to call my husband. He was strong, faithful, and deeply committed to our family. He prayed over us, led us with wisdom, and lived his life in a way that quietly impacted so many. His love shaped me. His example pointed others to Christ. I miss him every day.
Even now, years later, I still feel his absence. I still tear up when I hear certain songs or see our children do something he would have been proud of. And yet, woven into that grief is gratitude. Deep, steady, sacred gratitude—for the years we had, the memories we made, and the way God used him to leave a lasting legacy.
And then… God surprised me.
I never imagined remarriage. I never thought I’d have the capacity to love again. But God, in His kindness, brought a new man into my life—a man with gentleness, patience, and understanding. He has never tried to replace the love I lost. Instead, he walks with us through the grief, honors the man who came before him, and encourages us to keep remembering.
That kind of love is rare. And I’m so very thankful.
James 1:17 reminds us:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”
Both of these men—my late husband and my current one—are gifts. One shaped the woman I was becoming. The other supports the woman I am now. And both are part of God’s gracious care for me.
Gratitude doesn’t mean the grief is gone. It means I can honor the past and still embrace the present. I can give thanks for what was, and for what is. That’s the beautiful, bittersweet tension of living after loss.
Call to Action:
Take a quiet moment today to thank God for the people who have loved you well—past or present. If someone has stood by you through grief, supported your healing, or helped you remember someone you’ve lost, consider reaching out with a word of thanks.
Thank you for joining me this month as we’ve focused on gratitude together. I hope these reflections have encouraged your heart and reminded you that even in seasons of sorrow, there is still so much worth thanking God for. Gratitude doesn’t erase grief—but it softens the sharp edges and helps us see glimpses of His goodness again.
💜 If you’re walking through grief and need a quiet place to process, Hope in the Mourning was created for you. This 30-day journal includes scripture, gentle prompts, and space to reflect, write, and breathe. It’s not about fixing the pain—but giving you a way to meet God in it, one day at a time. You don’t have to grieve alone.
0 Comments