The Thanksgiving weekend, and coffee with God, have led me to this one little word.

This Thanksgiving was destined to be different due to COVID. Change is not something I open my heart and mind to easily, but instead have to make a conscious effort into accepting. I spent it only with the people I see everyday. Because the holiday was anything but traditional, we eliminated the turkey feast and served our favorite dishes, swapping out the bird for ribs and ham, and replacing the sweet potatoes with stuffed shells and Mac and cheese. I learned long ago, when plans don’t go the way you want them to, change your plans.

Because I was prepping myself for the big changes, I signed onto devotions and a Bible study on gratitude. At the same time, with 2021 approaching, I have also become more aware of what one little word I want to choose as my next mantra. As God always does, He spoke onto my heart.

Quotes from my devotions by Paul Tripp

“Here is one of the most beautiful fruits of grace- a heart that is content, more given to worship than demand, and more given to the joy of gratitude than the anxiety of want. It is grace and grace alone that can make this kind of peaceful living for each of us”

By definition, Grace means free and unmerited favor of God. I know it was by grace that I am saved, but I hadn’t considered it being by His grace that I would find peace and contentment at a time when I naturally wanted our traditions and gatherings to remain the same, and not be affected by this virus and restrictions.

God had my attention

In the next days reading I stumbled upon this quote. “Grace reminds us that you deserve nothing, but it does not stop there- It confronts you with the truth that God is gloriously loving, gracious, and kind, that He lavishes on us things we could not have earned. Grace also reminds us that God is wise and he never gets a wrong address. He gives us exactly what He knows we need”

Thanksgiving is a time to pause, and be thankful for what we have, and the Good Lord has given me plenty to be thankful for. As I am sure most of us are needing to do, I have been trying to keep my heart and mind on the positives during these crazy times, and this was a perfect reminder.

I have more to learn

On the third day of my study, as if Grace wasn’t showing up enough, I encountered this line: “The way to begin to celebrate the grace that God so freely gives you everyday is by admitting how much you need it.” And then the following morning I read Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.

So after a week of coffee with God, He has led me to my next word of focus. GRACE. Grace will be my one little word for 2021. I’m not exactly sure what that will look like, but I am sure to learn exactly what it is I need to learn, and grow in the direction the Lord wants me to.

Prayer

Good morning, Lord. Thank you for joining me for coffee. I want to thank you. Thank you for such a wonderful long weekend. Some things may have been different, but the changes proved to be wonderful. I enjoyed the modified Thanksgiving menu, the productivity of Black Friday and the chance to spend so much time with Cass, and the fun and very normal small business Saturday with Michelle. You provided all that I needed- just as you always do. You really are the giver of grace. I look forward into going deeper into GRACE in the upcoming year, and know I have a lot to learn. Thank you for your unending love, kindness, generosity, compassion, and guidance. In Jesus name, Amen.