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Welcome to October!
Welcome to October!
We are in the last quarter of the year. I am tempted to start thinking about the long list of items I would love to get completed before the year, and all the different things I could have done earlier but haven't.
But I find what my heart really wants right now is to be thankful. Three more months to the end of the year, and it's been an incredible year. So I am grateful. I thought I'd invite you to join me, in a gratitude letter.
How did you begin your year? Over the last 2 years, I have been trying a new way of getting into the year. Something like resolutions - but I think this has been a bit more effective for me. A while ago, I listened to an audiobook by Jon Gordon, One Word that will change your life.
The idea is to have a one word vision that keeps you focused for the year. This year my word(s) were "Make Room". It has been a great reminder to create room in my life for the Lord, because it is so easy to be distracted by all the things going on in life. And while I haven't always been consistent, I am grateful for the times I have made room, and how those experiences have continued to help me grow.
If you had to pick one word to describe your journey so far this year, or one word you need for these final three months, what would it be? How can you 'make room' for what matters most this October?
Yesterday, someone asked a question at the Toastmasters meeting I attended. "If you had 3 gifts to choose from: energy, time or clarity, which would you choose?" I think we all wanted all three! I can imagine all the wonderful things I could accomplish with lots of energy, endless time, and enough clarity to know the exact right thing to do. If you were in that room, which gift would you reach for first right now? (Energy, Time, or Clarity?) Reply and let me know, I’d love to hear it!
We are given a different gift though. A gift of faith. Because while we often are not clear on our next steps, we have a Father who knows the end from the beginning. While we may be down on energy some times and too tired to keep up with the endless demands of our existence, we are able to do all things through Christ Jesus. And while time does not stop or extend itself for us to do everything, our God and Father exists outside of time and has made it so there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens! So I am grateful for the gift of faith.
How have your seasons been in 2026? Some seasons can be really hard and some quite enjoyable. Take a moment to look back at a tough moment from earlier this year that you survived. What strength, faith, or lesson did you gain from it that you can give thanks for today?
I am thankful that God is present in each one, and can bring us through the rocky roads. We may come out scarred, bruised, or untouched sometimes, but we do come out. We have victory.
I hope this gratitude letter can be a reminder to you that you are precious, you are loved, and you will get through your current season.
Who in your life needs a little encouragement today? Consider forwarding this note or writing a quick gratitude text to someone who has supported your journey this year.
I am grateful for you, @firstname! Thank you for being a person I can write to, and thank you for being part of my 2026 journey!
Blessings!
Mary
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