Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 490):

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3

As I sat down to write my daily post, I felt like I should write about being thankful, and my daily psalm reading reinforced that feeling in me.

When surrounded by devastation and constantly challenged by anxiety and grief, it is so easy to lose focus and dismiss the great blessings God gracefully showers us with. However, we often remind our son to have a grateful heart, and I guess I am the one who needs an exercise in gratitude tonight.

Today is Ukraine’s Constitution Day, and I am thankful to have my country and to have it standing, even after 9+ years of hybrid war and 490 days of full-scale aggression.

We often hear people talk about prices going up, yet I am thankful that the stores are open, that the food and hygiene items are available, and that we and everyone we know have enough.

We often read about people losing their job or having pay cuts, yet I am thankful that Ukraine’s economy is still functioning, there are jobs available, and God finds ways to provide for those in disadvantaged situations.

We often see images of destruction, yet I am thankful that there is still room for beauty around us. There are flower shows in Kyiv, new parks and flower beds are set up in the most bombed cities of Ukraine, and we still care enough to look and feel beautiful both on the outside and inside.

We often talk about Russia trying to annihilate our culture, yet I am thankful that our roots are stronger than they thought. Every day, books are being written, translated, and published, performances are staged throughout the country, and more and more people learn about our culture.

We often see death surround us, taking away our fellow Ukrainians or even close friends, yet I am thankful that it hasn’t sucked out our life from our hearts, and we are still capable of loving, caring, rejoicing, and being grateful.

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love
and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Psalm 40:‬9‭-‬10