A Living Memorial: A Special Devotion for Women
Last year, after a personal trial left me almost depleted of my faith in myself and the Lord, I intentionally committed to keeping a gratitude journal as one of many to keep my faith nourished. Every evening I vowed I would write at least five things I was grateful for, but this was not just going to be a rote exercise like it had been in times past. No, this go-round, I would be intentional about adding a new list of things every day.
A few months in, I went from starting my journal entry with, “I am grateful for...” to, “Lord, thank you so much for…” I really cannot pinpoint when that shift occurred. All I know is that soon it became clear to me that the things that caused me to feel gratitude—whether something simple such as an unexpected call from a loved one or more substantial such as getting my tuition for a course 100% funded—often had little to do with my efforts and everything to do with God’s favor. I began to look forward to the 30 minutes or so I spent documenting the myriad ways the Lord blessed me each day. In my journal, I was essentially thanking God for the ways He specifically showed His love, provision, and care for me. For me! Specifically. Uniquely. Intimately.
Four months later, I found myself excitedly shopping for a brand-new journal in Hobby Lobby as I had no more space left in the old one. I had filled up 120-something pages with gratitude, proof that God’s love for me was overflowing immeasurably. Here’s what I know for sure now; God loves me so much that I could never grasp how wide, long, high, and deep His love is for me. It is boundless, all-encompassing, and immeasurable. It truly surpasses my understanding. (Ephesians 3: 16-19)
My recent journal entries often morph now into written prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and supplication. I see the hand of the Lord in my everyday life in sweet subtle or mountain-moving miraculous ways. It IS a tangible thing. I often catch myself noting events and occurrences in my day that I want to record in my journal later. Because I look for it, I see even more blessings. And as I graciously acknowledge these blessings, God shows me even more of Himself, which leads to greater intimacy with Him. How amazing is His grace! The best part is that as I go deeper into an intimate relationship with Him, I am slowly being conformed, more and more to His image. I see the difference in my perspective and how much quicker I am to go to Him with my sin struggles. I know my heart is surely being transformed when reading His word brings me to tears of humble surrender.
Isn’t this what an attitude of gratitude really is about? It is not merely a mind shift, but a heart shift as well. My gratitude journal has unveiled a way for me to remember God’s special, Hesed love for me. When a trial that tests my faith strikes again, and it will (“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33), I have a personal record, a testimony, of God’s faithful, steadfast, inexhaustible love that I can turn to for solace, hope, and comfort. These journals have become my living memorials.
The scriptures document many instances of memorials erected to remember the faithfulness and providence of God towards his people. As Tandi Thomas recalled in the Grace Kids portion of service a couple of weeks ago, Joshua was instructed to set up twelve stones taken from the Jordan River as the Israelites safely crossed its dried bed, each to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. These stones were to be a memorial for the Israelites and future generations signifying the Lord’s mighty hand in delivering them safely across river to the promised land, just as he did when they left Egypt and he parted the Red Sea so they could cross it. Joshua said to the Israelites that the Lord did this, “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)
Memorials mattered then and they do now.
When I started writing my gratitude journal nine months ago, I had no idea it would become so significant as a living memorial of God’s enduring, unfailing love, and grace in my life. Praise the Lord!
What about you, friend? In these challenging COVID-19 times, what would you most want to remember about how God met you in its midst? How can you tangibly memorialize God’s love and faithfulness to you and your family?
Let us pray.
Dear Loving Father, Thank you that your love for us never fails and that nothing can separate us from it. No hardship, no virus, no financial lack, no loss, no feeling of despair or overwhelm—nothing can separate us from you. Help us to remember that in all of our sufferings and trials that we are more than conquerors in Jesus. We owe our very lives to you. Let us boldly come to you in humility and bring our pain and suffering to the foot of the cross, where the work is finished. Remind us that you loved us first and that you show your love for us in small subtle ways as well as mighty magnificent ones. May we always remember your faithfulness and trust you to give us over and above what we can ask or imagine, in all circumstances. In Jesus Name.
Natalie Jobity, the Brilliance Unveiler and Founder of The Unveiled Way is a Leadership Elevation Coach, Speaker & Mentor. She empowers heart-centered, high-achieving visionary women seeking to make their divinely designed impact, to level up their leadership posture so they are positioned to lead authentically and unapologetically in their arena. The Unveiled Way’s core pillar is empowerment and impact. Through Natalie’s individual and group coaching programs, the Women’s Catalyst Circle events, LinkedIn Lives, books, and empowerment products, she helps women unveil the full gamut of their brilliance.
Natalie Jobity is an ICF-certified coach, bestselling author, mentor, speaker, and intuitive creative, who recently published her second book titled, It’s Your Time to Shine, Girl: Own Your Brilliance, Step into Your Influence, and Lead Like a Trailblazer. This leadership development and empowerment book, and her newest creation, her “She Shines Affirmation & Empowerment Card Deck for Women on the Rise,” will inspire women the world over to step into their purpose, and give them the tips, tools, and techniques needed to succeed and thrive as a woman of influence and lead confidently and unapologetically in their arenas.
Visit Natalie’s website to learn more about how she partners with impact-minded women to propel them forward to step powerfully into their purpose.
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