Today is Thanksgiving Day 2022! It so happens to be Bill’s birthday too. Every seven years Thanksgiving falls on the 24th and that is my dear husband’s birthday. So today we will celebrate both with lots of food and family. He will receive an overwhelming amount of birthday wishes and love from friends and family. God’s blessings and love overwhelms us at times, and we are truly better together! My purpose for writing this blog today is to differentiate between joy and happiness. Many things bring us happiness, but true JOY comes from knowing God and being content in all situations. The apostle Paul wrote about this in Philippians 4:11; “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am found in to be content.” Happiness is based on what is happening in the moment, while joy is based on your identity and authority in Christ. For we know that God is working ALL things for our good, so we must learn to rest in that promise (Romans 8:28; Gensis 50:20; Psalm 46:10).
I will close with a BIG Happy Birthday to Bill Tate! You are my promise from God. You and I are better together in every way! The girl you met in second grade when you were the new kid at Rogers is now your wife. Who would have thought that two people would reunite after over 40 years, fall in love, and serve God together! I love what God is doing through us.
God Speed!
TateandTateGodSpeed 