The end of the year is a great time to look over the past twelve months and reflect on what God has done and has brought you through. (If you diligently keep a prayer journal, you know how amazed you always are at how faithful He’s been in all the details!) I had my face so set toward the New Year that I nearly forgot to take this time to thank Him. And what a faith builder it is as well to look back on all His ways – no wonder throughout scripture His instructions are to “wait” and “remember.” His kindness comes to us daily in so many, many details!

In particular, I thank God for:

• Safety in all kinds of travel – daily driving, thousands of miles put on my car and no accidents or breakdowns, train trips to New York – even in snowstorms; getting us through the Lincoln Tunnel in August with low gas, no AC, hours of traffic, etc…wow!
• another book published
• dramatic physical healing of an affliction this past spring
• good health for my entire family
• Strengthening of friendships and new “Kingdom connections” in the Body of Christ
• Bringing back my 96 year-old grandmother from the brink and restoring her to health
• Protection from violence
• Allowing me to partner with Him by ministering through me at retreats and also to the Christian fellowship at my Alma Mater – what a high privilege!
• Joyful times spent with my children; warm summer days at playgrounds – watching them in their sheer delight of life
• Dozens and dozens of radically answered prayers for friends and family and the family of God (I keep prayer requests on one side of my journal, and try to remember to go back and fill in when we see the answer come through – it’s amazing how consistent and how quickly He comes through on many prayers).
• Financial and physical provision

Most of all, I am thankful for God’s word to me, both in my daily Bible reading and His prophetic words spoken through others. “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary bread” (Job 23:12).

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord…I will consider all your works” (Psalm 77:11-12). What has The Lord done for you this past year? Perhaps He has taken you through a dark valley. How has He shown you His kindness?