Gratitude and Godly Grit
“You saw how the Lord your God carried you.”
Deuteronomy 1:31 (NIV)
A new year offers the opportunity to look back and reflect upon God's many blessings. This morning I turned a page in my prayer journal and read, “It is good to record God’s work in our lives and how he has answered our prayers. Doing so is a great way to look back over a year and be thankful. Consider writing five to eight significant ways in which you and your family have seen the Lord’s hand direct your lives in the last year.”
After reading those words, I began writing in my journal about the many ways God worked this year in our family’s lives. Some of God’s work and ways I may never fully realize, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God carried us through:
My breast cancer surgery and subsequent radiation (January- March)
Our first full year of grief following James Bruce’s death (February)
My sister’s breast cancer surgery and radiation (March-June)
Mimi’s (Bruce’s Mom) unexpected hospitalization in May
Our beloved pastor’s sudden death (May)
Briarwood’s grief, shock, and ongoing pastoral search following Pastor Reeder’s death
Bruce’s open-heart surgery (July) and cardiac rehab (September-November)
2023 was indeed a difficult year for us, but God’s providence and faithfulness were on full display for our family. Looking back over the last twelve months, I am so very grateful for God’s grace and God’s people. So many folks were the hands and feet of Jesus, wrapping us in His love, carrying our burdens in a myriad of ways. Several long-time coaching friends mowed our grass all summer and fall. Countless meals were brought to our home. Hundreds of get well, praying for you, meal gift cards, and visitors arrived to encourage, strengthen, and pray with us.
Our adult children also stepped up in big ways, especially with Bruce’s heart surgery, recovery, and cardiac rehab. Author and psychologist Dr. James Dobson once said that from the moment a child is born, our job as parents is to work ourselves out of a job. 2023 was an opportunity for us to realize that by God’s grace we’ve done that. They are all very capable, competent adults and I am so very grateful.
As our family gathered in our living room for Christmas, we each shared one prayer request and one thing for which we were thankful. All of us were grateful for being together for another Christmas. Our prayer requests varied. Some of us are praying for developing a good work/life balance or decreasing anxiety about school or work. Others are praying for an adoption to be realized. A nine-year old granddaughter is praying for an end to the war in Israel.
Looking around that night and looking back over last year, I am grateful to have been carried by God, not just through 2023, but through our entire parenting journey. Hudson Taylor once said, “There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” Our parenting work is done.
A new year also offers the promise and hope of a clean slate and new beginnings. Each year I try to have a focus word and prayer verse for that year. 2022 and 2023 focused on cultivating a steadfast heart (Psalm 112:7) and a steadfast mind (Isaiah 26:3). This year’s focus is on perseverance and my prayer verse is:
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 :
When steadfastness (standing firm) is combined with perseverance (the ability to keep going) the result is godly grit. Godly grit helps us develop steadfast hope, a faith that looks and leans forward much like a runner crossing the finish line. Steadfast hope allows us to run life’s race with a fixed focus, a firm stand, and a faithful finish.
Looking back, I am humbled by and grateful for God’s grace and His people. Looking forward, I am praying for godly grit to remain fixed, firm, and faithful all the way to the finish line.
To God be the glory and Happy New Year!