Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:4
One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is reflecting over my last year, but sometimes the truest Thanksgiving comes when I look farther back.
I love digging out my old prayer journals. This is part of a prayer from 1999:
Dear Jesus, I thank You for this new morning. I thank You that you desire to meet with me as much as I desire to meet with You—even more. I have yet to see how my life can be transformed by being solely committed to You, living a life without reservation, instead of trusting, listening and obeying in all things. Whose lives would be affected? Whom would I touch? How would eternity be forever changed?
I love looking back more than a year because so much has happened. I’ve celebrated 23 years of marriage, raised three amazing kids, led three mission trips, helped open a pregnancy center, started two teen mom support groups, started a blog, wrote numerous books, moved to Arkansas for ministry, started a radio podcast, and adopted three children! Those are the highlights.
There have been many hard moments—painful moments—too. As James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Jesus acts on those who wait for Him. He helps us persevere, and He promises a crown of life at the end of our journey. That’s something to be thankful for!
Faith Step: This Thanksgiving don’t just take time to look over the past year and share things you are thankful for. Instead, look back over the last five or ten years…maybe even more. Share ways you’ve persevered. Share accomplishments you’ve achieved through and for Jesus. Finally, share how Jesus has acted as you’ve waited for Him.
