New Year, New MerciesSample

The DNA of joy is thankfulness. Have you noticed that entitled, complaining people don’t happen to be very joyful?

I wish I always carried it with me. 

I wished it always shaped the way I look at life. 

I wish it directed my desires. 

I wish it was the natural inclination of 

my heart. 

I wish remembering 

your boundless grace 

would silence my grumbling. 

I wish my 

worship of you, 

my trust of you, 

my rest in you 

would drive away 

all complaint. 

If my heart is ever 

going to be freed of 

grumbling 

and ruled by 

gratitude, 

I need your grace: 

grace to remember, 

grace to see, 

grace that produces 

a heart of humble joy.