I am often inspired by song lyrics. I love music and how it speaks to my soul. It is powerful, and most recently, I’ve been listening to “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/PzH8d4PIQsc

This song sums up my feelings as 2022 comes to a close. With all that has happened, and all that I’ve walked through, I find myself resting in true gratitude for what the Lord has done. Life is wonderful, no doubt, but it is also difficult because we live in an imperfect world that is full of pain and suffering. And what I have found this year is that the hardships I’ve endured have led me to a place of peace and more importantly gratitude. I have been reminded over and over of the importance of being thankful, and that has made all the difference.

My parents are back in Rock Hill and doing well. I haven’t called them much. I think part of me is still bitter about the move back to South Carolina. However, I know God is teaching me through all of this. He has a lot of work to do because I, like my dad, am stubborn. I think I know what is best and I oftentimes get bent out of shape when things don’t go my way. But I know that this life isn’t about things going my way or me being in control. It’s about me learning how to trust and live a life worthy of my calling, and my greatest calling is to glorify the ONE who made me. When my focus is on glorifying God, it changes my perspective and my response. So, I am thankful that mom and dad are together again in Rock Hill. In fact, they celebrated 57 years of marriage on the day he drove her back home. That’s a happy ending and certainly something for which to be thankful.

Another sweet event that occurred after mom left Atlanta was a sing-along at Ridge Manor, mom’s former home in Canton. I had previously made arrangements with the owner for myself and a friend to go and sing Christmas carols with the residents on December 22nd. What prompted me to offer this to the owner was the fact that my mom was a resident at the time. Well, she left on December 17th. However, my friend and I decided that we should still go and sing Christmas carols. We did, and it was one of the highlights of the holiday season for both of us. My talented friend played guitar and lead us in singing familiar Christmas carols. To our amazement, a couple of the residents who normally don’t converse, began to sing with us. They remembered the tunes and even the words. They smiled. They were full of joy. My friend and I were so touched by their responses. The gratitude we felt that day was immense! We went to Ridge Manor out of obligation, out of a promise made, but we left encouraged and full. It was another joyous conclusion.

I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know the ONE who holds it. I am certain there will be joys in 2023. There will also be pain and struggle. I don’t say that to sound like a cynic. I simply want to be realistic. As I’ve celebrated the advent of Jesus this Christmas, I’ve reflected on His life. He was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), yet he experienced immeasurable joy and endless gratitude in His life. He healed people and saw their responses of faith and GRATITUDE. He fed thousands and saw their responses of fullness and GRATITUDE. He forgave people and saw their responses of humility and GRATITUDE. Oh, that I might be that one who lives a life filled with GRATITUDE, even amid the trouble, because my eyes are fixed on the only ONE that can stir up in me a response of authentic GRATITUDE.

So, I end this year of 2022 with this quote from Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.”

“So, I throw up my hands and praise you again and again, cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. And I know it’s not much, but I’ve nothing else fit for a King, except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah.”