What a difference a year can make.

Who on earth was it that first said that? Why did they say it?

Were they coming out of rough year and is noticing how much more improved things are?

Was it a really great year the year before and suddenly their world is all topsy-turvy now?

Did they not see the writing on the wall of what could possibly happen leading them to the place they currently reside a whole year later?

Perhaps they did see the obvious foreshadowing of what was to come….and are simply staying the obvious: what a difference a year can make.

A year ago my heart was broken over the death of my friend.

This year? I’m broken but mending.

A year ago I was on top of the world with physical motivation and energy; my Crohn’s seemingly well controlled.

This year? Let’s just say, “welcome back my old friend sluggishness. Hello to increased treatment plans for chronic illness management.”

Last year? My precious family of four was still under one roof where this year we are sans one as the darling first born has left the nest to serve in the Navy.

What a difference a year can make.

Life can often seem like we are on the edge of a precipice…a big change…a journey into the unknown is about to happen.

Well…my life, anyway, can feel that way. At least it is feeling that way and has been for a little while.

The winds of change are blowing. My sons are both almost grown. My husband and I are winking at the age of 50. Opportunities to serve the Lord are becoming more evident as my body continues to force me into humility while I succumb to His grace.

All the more reason to be thankful. To stay thankful.

For what?

For what I have. For what has been withheld.

For where I am and where I did not end up.

For who is around me, who was around me, and who will be around me as I live this life I’ve been given.

For the One who has given me life.

Why not try to be intentionally thankful for the next 30 days?

One whole month…a new Scripture every day… representing and reminding me -us- to be thankful.

Let’s do this!

Isaiah 12:4-5

Give thanks to the Lord and call on His name in prayer. Make His deeds known among the people; proclaim to them that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord for He has done excellent and glorious things!

AMP

Make His deeds known among the people

When was the last time you did that? When did I do that last? How often do we really declare the glorious wonders of our God and King to others?

Revelation 12:11 states that is is in the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony that people overcame their enemy.

I wonder if their testimony was about the blood of the Lamb?

My testimony is nothing without Jesus.

All I’ve gone through…all I’ve suffered…all that “didn’t kill me but made me stronger”…is nothing and empty without my Savior.

Yes. I’ve been sober for almost 10 years.

That’s great. Absolutely great stuff.

Yes. I’m no longer ruled by anxiety and the overwhelming urge to control everything and everyone so my world seems safe.

Truly fantastic.

Yes. My husband and I have been able to get our marriage back on track and learn to trust through continuous obstacles.

Beautiful.

But if you really think I accomplished ANY of that on my own strength than you do not know me at all.

I’m not capable of maintaining my sobriety on my own.

I’m not able to let go and breathe instead of caving in to the panic that waits at the front door of my mind.

I’m not capable of being ok with my incredibly handsome husband traveling 2 weeks out of each month knowing that temptation of all kinds lurks in every alley and hotel lobby.

You may think I’m a “strong woman”, but you would be foolish to think I’m that strong.

If I were? I wouldn’t have needed saving.

But boy…at the end of that rope I found my hands were slipping….all I thought I could manage was slipping away…and I was falling.

Right into the arms of the Savior.

All that I thought I knew…all that I thought I was….all that at I thought I wanted….all that I thought mattered was nothing. I was nothing. I was empty. Incapable. Insignificant.

Until.

I heard Him call my name.

He called me Beloved. Forgiven. Chosen. Wanted. More than enough. Loved.

How can I not be an overcomer of all that wants to overwhelm me, destroy me, paralyze me when I declare what the Lord has done for me??

I am overwhelmed with THANKFULNESS and want to sing His praises for He HAS done great things!

Now you try.