Last Summer and Fall, I tried to get up every morning and go through a Beth Moore Bible study that I have, but it was a lot of work. Not that digging into the Word of God that deeply is a bad thing, but it was just a bit much for me and the schedule I was keeping. I needed something a little shorter but just as impacting. In December, I found Proverbs 31's Encouragement for Today. It is just the type of devotional that I need. I highly recommend it.

Then, in January, I began reading Ann Voskamp's 1,000 Gifts. She inspired me to begin a gratitude journal. I decided it would not only be a gratitude journal, but it would also become an inspiration/encouragement journal. I don't write anything negative in it. It's only home to thoughts, scriptures, verses and quotes that help lift me up when I encounter a dark place in life.

In December, I also printed off prayer calendars from Inspired to Action. One for my husband, and one for my children. So when the New Year rolled around, I was ready to have a great devotion time every morning to help set the pace for my day. A nice bit of time just for me and Jesus. And because my devotional and prayers were short and to the point, I didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to complete them. :)

I've been looking back over the first few pages of my journal. I wrote this quote by Lysa Terkeurst: Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the end goal. And end goals can seem overwhelmingly huge, daunting and just plain hard to reach. Instead, if we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible. And this one by Ann Voskamp: He chooses our dirty places, our stinking places, the places that shame us, as his point of entry.

These quotes encouraged me with the New Year's resolutions I was setting for myself. They weren't your typical resolutions of losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, etc. They were more along the lines of improving my relationships with God, my husband and my kids. Just becoming a better person and living a life that is more pleasing to the Lord.

I wrote down that this year my goal would be to learn how to truly trust God. To completely surrender to him. To put my complete hope in him and his ways. I wrote goals down of becoming more supportive, selfless and patient with my family and goals of learning self-control and perseverance.

I even gave this year a few scripture verses to encourage me on my journey. Job 13:15 - God might kill me, but I have no other hope. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, the mighty Warrior who saves, he will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.


Back in January, I had no idea how important all of the above would become.

A few weeks ago, I referred to some weeds that Robert and I have discovered. Because of them, we have been on quite a journey in the last 6 weeks. There has been a lot of self discovery and a lot of surrender going on. We are realizing just how important it is to put our complete trust and hope in God. To be supportive, selfless, patient and to exhibit perseverance and self-control.

I look back at those prayer calendars and the prayers I've been praying for my family and for myself, and I realize just how faithful God is. I can see his handiwork in everything that has happened. It's been hard. There are times that I feel like God is killing me, but then I remember Job 13:15. I know there is no other place that I can put my hope but in him. His word truly is living and breathing. It speaks truth and brings light into our dark places.

Today, I am so thankful for a God who is true. Who is just. Who is light. A God who knows me. Who loves me. Who accepts me. A God who stays with me. He walks with me. He is the shoulder I can cry on. He is my strength and my encouragement. My hope and my trust is completely in him. How can it not be? I've learned that his ways are the best ways. That if I surrender to his will, then my life will truly work out for good. It's not just some positive quote someone said a long time ago. Romans 8:28 is his promise to me. To you. To us. He is for me and with me, and for that I am so unbelievably thankful!

My gifts counting to 1,000...

156. Nehemiah 9:21
157. sleeping all night
158. mojitos
159. wading pools
160. You Are Beautiful sign
161. powerful messages in a kids' cartoon
162. relinquishing control
163. air conditioning
164. midnight conversations
165. unexpected gifts
166. self-reflection
167. morning devotional time
168. cool mornings
169. reminders of Dad
170. summer
171. spiritual care team
172. garbage day...literally and metaphorically
173. emotional intimacy
174. kindle app
175. smell of yeast
176. kitchenaid
177. writing as therapy
178. kleenex
179. worship music
180. alone time
181. hugs
182. finding toys in odd places
183. cleaning out the corners
184. prayer calendars
185. great neighbors
186. Romans 5
187. relaxing in the Lord's presence
188. joy of the Lord
189. Romans 6
190. God moments