I Get To

"Finding Peace. Reclaiming Joy. Hearing His Voice. A soul-centered newsletter"

"Where He leads Joy Follows" -Joy Butts

“A short story about loss & GRATITUDE!”

It was a day like any other, except for the tightness she felt in her chest that morning, a heaviness that refused to lift. She was gripped by a sense of tremendous loss, and none of the familiar remedies that once brought comfort seemed to touch this pain. Sitting alone in her car, she stared at the front door of her office, fighting back tears. She wasn’t sure she could summon the strength to walk in, to once again bury her feelings just to make it through the day. And then, like a sudden break in a dark and stormy sky, a light pierced through. She remembered that powerful gift called GRATITUDE!

In that moment, her mind shifted to a truth she carries with her to this day, a simple but life-changing perspective: “I get to,” instead of “I must” or “I have to.”

"I get to..." 

"I get to..."

"I get to..."

I get to..., became her mantra and even in the worst of times this reality of gratitude lifted her when she was sad and directed her when she was lost.

That night as she drifted off to sleep she had one more, 'I get to' to say. "Thank you Lord for all of your blessings for 'I get to' worship you throughout all eternity in this life and the next."

I get to! A train I encourage your mind to board and see how far it takes you. 

With Grace,

Joy Butts

🪞 A Moment of Reflection

Take a moment and write your own "I get to..." list.

Hope For The Day

“ Gratitude mixed with praise goes a long way."

Scripture reference: “...and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”-Isaiah 61:3a‬ ‭‬‬NIV