Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58/emphasis added)

Even though 2023 was a challenging year for my son, not only with school issues, battling depression, and major medical issues, we both have abundant reasons to be grateful. This is the heart attitude that I want to take into 2024.

As we usher in the fresh beginnings of January, I feel compelled to fix my thoughts on paper regarding the multitude of ways the Lord’s grace was manifested in our lives over the past year.

Not merely did God provide for us, but He gave me, peace through the pain, delivery from discouragement, and hope in what appeared to be hopeless.

Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. BEHOLD, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.(Isaiah 43:18-19/emphasis added)

God has been sending this verse to me often. When God repeats verses to me over and over again, I pay attention! I am hopeful that God is about to do a new thing… it’s been a long wait… but not according to His calendar, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8).

What can you do while you wait for the Lord?

1) Immerse yourself in God’s Word. It has been my hope, my guidance, and my strength in the past. I anticipate the same in the days ahead.

2) Schedule time alone with God. Whether you work, have children, or are a single parent, you have to schedule that time. If you have experienced communion with the Lord, then like me, you crave that time! Decide what time of day is best for you. I’m a morning person. I am too tired in the evening. My early morning hours have given me the strength and joy I need to get through the day.

3) Pepperdine states that there are 8,810 of God’s promises in the Bible. I think in that number you can find one a day for the next three hundred and sixty-five days. Write down a promise a day! https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1769&context=leaven#:~:text=reading%20of%20the%20Bible%2C,made%20by%20God%20to%20humankind).

4) I started making a prayer Bible. It’s still a work in progress. What I decided to do first was to highlight verses that God has given to me over my life.

– My life Psalm – Psalm 27

– Life Gratitude #1 – John 3:16

– Life Gratitude #2 – Psalm 40:1-3

– Life Verse – Romans 8:28

– Life Walk – Hebrews 12:1-2

– Life Commission – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

– Life Assurance #1 – Proverbs 3:5-6

– Life Assurance #2 – Isaiah 46:4

– Life Goal #1- 1 Corinthians 10:31

– Life Goal #2 – Philippians 3:12-14

– Life Goal #3 – Philippians 3:12-14

Then I started highlighting verses that proved my identity in Christ. As I mentioned, it’s a work in progress. There are hundreds of other verses that I love but the ones above are dear to me. Ask God to show you verses and a plan that fits your journey.

5) Finally, I have been analyzing a good fit for an acronym with the first word of this blog and the book. I finally came up with one!! WAVES

Walk with gratitude – Head held high. If Christ is your Savior – You are a child of the God Most High – be grateful!

Arise with gratitude – Wake up in the morning with gratitude. I have near my bed Psalm 143:8-12. I am teaching myself not to immediately jump out of bed. Instead, I pray this to God.

Verbalize with gratitude – Have a positive attitude. No critical talk. Encourage one another.

Emblaze with gratitude – Let the light of Christ shine through you. Light someone else’s candle that is out.

Sing with gratitude – Worship the Lord with praise and gratitude.

Waves-of-Gratitude

ARISE! It’s a new day and a new year!

Be steadfast,

           immovable,

                         always abounding in the work of the Lord,

                with gratitude.