Dear Friend
How are you today? I have a little job for you today.
What has been happening to, through, and with you all year? Can you give an account of all the days you have lived through? Or at least the themes that have played out for you this year? As we come to the beautiful end of the year, let’s pause and remember.
I saw someone this week in clinic, and she was telling me how her medication was not working well….. She wanted a change. I listened, and I asked her to share her mood diary with me, so we went through it together. Turns out, since she started taking this medication, she has more good days, settled moods, and even happy days. However, she couldn’t see that today, right now, sitting in front of me.
We needed that record for objective reasoning and to draw a decent conclusion. What about you, my dear friend, what does the record say?
A Little Exercise:
Before you finish reading this, take a few minutes to reflect on your journey. Think about one moment when you experienced God’s faithfulness. It does not have to be a breakthrough. It could be something small that happened recently or an experience from several years ago.
Now, write down the following:
- What was happening in my life at the time?
- What was I asking God for?
- How did things eventually unfold?
- What did that experience teach me about God?
- What do I want to remember about this experience when life becomes difficult again?
Permit yourself to write honestly. You may even be surprised by how much you remember once you begin reflecting. If you can’t think of anything right away, take your time. Look back through old messages, photographs, journals, or conversations. Sometimes, we need a little help remembering just how far we have come.
Why Remembering Matters
Gratitude flows so easily when blessings are clear—an answered prayer, a wonderful new opportunity, or a moment of healing. But during harder or uncertain seasons, it’s completely natural to focus on what feels unanswered and slip into forgetting all that God has already done.
Throughout Scripture, God lovingly calls us to remember His deeds. In Joshua 4, twelve stones from the Jordan River served as a physical memorial so future generations could recall His power and care. In the same way, keeping your own “Book of Remembering” is a heart-centered way to let past blessings strengthen your present faith.
Remembering how God cared for us yesterday gives us so much confidence to trust Him today! We stand on that foundation and reach up and out for what we hope to step into: the next level of testimonials.
How to Start Your Personal Book of Remembering
The wonderful thing about this practice is that it doesn’t require anything fancy—no expensive journal or strict routine needed! You can simply start with what you already have.
Choose a format that feels right for you: Feel free to use a physical notebook, a digital document, a notes app on your phone, or even a cozy folder with written notes, photos, and sweet reminders. Pick whatever is easiest for you to return to! Create a simple entry format. Whenever you notice God’s faithfulness, take a few restful minutes to jot it down.
You can try simple prompts like:
- Date
- What happened?
- What was I praying or hoping for?
- How did God show His faithfulness?
- What did this experience teach me?
- Which Scripture comes to mind?
- What do I want to treasure about this moment?
Please don’t feel pressured to answer every question—just write naturally and from the heart! It’s all about preserving sweet memories, not perfection. Weave in comforting Scriptures: As you write, connect your moments with verses that remind you of God’s sweet promises. For example, Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that His mercies are fresh every morning.
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Make time to revisit your notes: Creating your book is wonderful, but taking time to read back through it is where the real magic happens. Maybe you can set aside a quiet moment at the end of the month, during your morning reflection, or whenever you need a little extra encouragement. You’ll be amazed at the answered prayers and quiet moments of grace you might have otherwise forgotten!
Key Areas to Document
1. Answered Prayers: Specific requests, outcomes, and insights gained along the way.
2. Challenging Seasons: How peace, resilience, and community carried you through.
3. Unexpected Provisions: Both big breakthroughs and simple daily joys.
4. Growth & Character: Moments that helped build your patience, strength, and trust.
A Quick Guide to Getting Started
- Choose Your Space: Grab a journal, open a document, or use a note app.
- Keep It Simple: Note the date, what happened, the outcome, and comforting verses
- Revisit Often: Look back through your entries whenever you need a boost of hope.
Psalm 77:11-12
11: I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12: I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
A Gentle First Step
To begin, think of a past moment where things worked out, and reflect on:
- What were the circumstances?
- What were you hoping for?
- How did things unfold?
- What uplifting insights did you gain?
Keeping track of these moments brings so much perspective for the future and serves as a wonderful encouragement to those around you. Revelation 12:11. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death
Psalm 40:9-10. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
10: I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
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What we obtain from God- the good, the character formation, the exploits- must be told, that we may obtain mercy for the days ahead. Dear friend, as we wind down for the year and ramp up for the commercial madness that is approaching, we must pause to think about what has truly formed in us this year.
Has it been truly reflective of what we experienced and what we hoped to experience? Or something else? I leave you with the peace of God this week. May we truly reflect him on this earth.
Until next time — stay warm, stay growing, stay loving, stay whole.
With love and light
Amaka.
