The Journey from January to December—Counting Your Blessings

The Journey from January to December—Counting Your Blessings – Today’s Devotional – December 12, 2023

“For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.” —Psalm 31:3

Each of us has a reason to praise our Great God who has guided us from January 1st to today. Thinking about the undeserved love we receive from our Heavenly Father is a humbling and joyful experience. What are some of the many blessings you received this year? God sustains our lives even when we fail to say thank You.

On January 5th of this year, I was diagnosed with COVID even though I was double-masked. On December 29, 2022, I required an ER visit for an asthma exacerbation. I was placed in a hospital waiting room turned into an extended Emergency room to handle the overflow of 10 plus COVID-positive patients.

To say that I was near death for one month is an understatement. My food intake consisted of peach fruit cups, sips of water, and ginger ale. I lost 10% of my body weight and my taste and sense of smell disappeared which were not the usual symptoms of 2023’s COVID variant. Sleep-deprived because of round-the-clock nebulizer treatments and prednisone led to being bed-fast.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; Save me and I. will be saved, For You are my praise.” —Jeremiah 17:14

Every day, I prayed prayers of repentance and for healing. On February 11th, I received complete healing from COVID-19, my asthma stabilized, and my sense of taste and smell returned. The second abnormality that God healed was an incurable and progressive condition in one of the arteries in my heart. And God did not stop at the physical condition of my heart, He also brought restoration to my broken heart from a mid-life divorce.

As I reflect on my life journey from January to December, I praise God from whom all blessings flow! His abundant love, grace, and mercies are never-ending. And in gratitude, I have consecrated and dedicated my heart to Christ. What else can I give to a King but my heart? Thank You, Jesus.

“…I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” —Psalm 34:1

Today is number 346. As we approach the end of 2023, take a few moments to reflect on the goodness and mercies you have received in the past 345 days. God is more than good to us—He is Great! Whisper a prayer of gratitude for His faithfulness.

Prayer: God, we thank You for Your loving-kindness, grace, and mercies that we receive every day. We ask for forgiveness for taking your gifts for granted. Thank You for bringing us to December 12th. We pray for a spirit of gratitude, humility, and obedience. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries