With New Years approaching, I find myself as most folks, looking back at 2013. A friend called this morning and as we were sharing about our Christmas time with family she commented, “I wonder what 2014 will hold?” As I got off the phone and resumed cleaning breakfast dishes, I reflected back on 2013 and the many things that happened I was not anticipating, some good and some not so good, yet I knew each was a part of God’s sovereign and divine plan for me.
For several years now on New Year’s Day morning, during our quiet time with the Lord, Mark and I read back through our journals. It was always understood that on that particular morning, our quiet times would be extended, so we didn’t rush the time of reflecting on all God had taught us and done in our lives the past year. Once we were finished, we would sit for a time and talk about the many things recorded in our journals. As I stood at the sink thinking about this tradition, I was overcome with sadness remembering that for the past four years Mark has not recorded one word in a journal due to the condition he suffers with and the affect it has had on his fine motor skills.
I thought about the numerous boxes in the attic loaded down with little black notebooks, all containing a man’s spiritual life lived out in one journal after another. I began to look ahead and think about the grandchildren and great grandchildren who would be impacted by the words and lessons learned that are recorded in each of those little black notebooks. They will be first-hand witnesses to a faithful God and His indwelling in the heart of their Pop. They will also witness a day to day struggle to fully and completely trust the heavenly Father with every aspect of his life, yet choosing to, in spite of his circumstances. Oh the testimony of a life given to walking consistently and faithfully with the One who rescued him from hell.
I was overcome with a strong desire to encourage Mark to start a journal in 2014 within the files of his computer. I thought even if it takes him twenty or thirty minutes to type one to two sentences of what God had said to him that morning or what God was teaching him, it would be worth it for those who would follow him- the generations to come. What an impact his life lived out in a daily journal would have on those who were yet to come. God’s book is His journal to us. His life lived out on paper and what an impact it has had and continues to have on millions.
As I approach the end of 2013, I find myself excited about looking back in my journal and seeing all God has taught me and all that He has done for us. I am certain I will see those daily struggles to trust Him, the daily determination to keep on keeping on, and the words from His word recorded this year with a fresh message just for me and the place in which I found myself that day. I will be reminded of God’s provision and His faithfulness in meeting our every need. I will rejoice in the new life, spiritually and physically, with which God has blessed our family. I will be saddened at the reminder of the home going of loved ones, yet I will celebrate their reunion with other loved ones and their being home at last with their Savior.
One life lived out in a journal, page after page of ink on paper testifying to the great faithfulness of a God who has promised never to leave us or forsake us; a God who gave His one and only Son that you and I might have eternal life. Oh that Mark and I will continue to record the faithfulness and provision of the One we love and committed our lives to, in order that generations to come might witness the true and living God indwelling in us, the ones who have gone before them!
Father, thank you that each and every year we can look back and see Your sovereign will, purpose and design for our lives. Thank you that You are faithful and through your faithful work in the lives of Your children You reveal yourself to the generations to come. Help me to be faithful to tell and record all You have done in my life for Your Glory and Honor! Words on paper recording a life lived for You!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1
“ Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:10