๐จ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
In the final chapter of fiction-romance novel "Dismantled Hearts," reflection and gratitude took center stage. Despite enduring turbulence, some of the characters experienced a shift in life. The book had many rough moments, so it was important to highlight the good times and showcase how challenges led to resilience and personal growth, particularly for the main characters. This part of the book prompted me to reflect on and appreciate what I am grateful for in my own life.
Family
Every day, I wake up with a grateful heart, and it's something I truly pride myself on. I don't go a day without thanking the Lord for waking me up and for life itself. It truly is a blessing, and some people don't realize it until they lose someone close. In 2022, my family experienced 3 significant losses and it was a hard time for us all. The youngest was my 22-year-old cousin and it breaks my heart that she's no longer here with us. Before this, I already believed that life is short and should be lived to the fullest, but these deaths have pushed me to live life even more and not just exist.
I'm grateful for family and how God has kept us so close-knit through the years, especially after the passing of the matriarchs on both sides and the more recent deaths. I have a large family on my mom's side. My grandma had seven kids and 35 grandkids, and now with the next generation, that number has grown even more. We often receive compliments on how connected we are and how much fun we have together. We often hang out enjoying family outings, whether it's celebrating milestones, impromptu barbecues or planned events like field days. We show up and support each other at every opportunity. Our family is far from perfect, but we try our best to love each other as much as we can.
On my dad's side, the family is smaller, but the love is genuine and ever-present. I cherish family holidays with my Philly family, where we enjoy each other's company and share lots of laughs. The matriarch of this side recently passed away, and while we still struggle with her loss, we continue the traditions she loved, knowing she wouldn't want it any other way.
I have friends who have recently lost parents, and it pains me to see them grieve. This makes me cherish my parents even more, and I am deeply grateful to still have them in my life. I try to spend as much time with them as possible, creating lasting memories and making sure they know how much they are loved and appreciated. Whether it's simple moments like going to the movies or having deep conversations about life, I value every second we have together.
God's Presence
What I am also grateful for is God's mere presence in my life. I remember a particular, impactful encounter with Christ, well before I established a relationship with Him. I was sitting in my last college class, a math course I had put off taking because math is my least favorite subject and I struggled with it. One day, as I was paying attention to the lecture, my mind suddenly shifted from the professor to the empty loose-leaf papers on my desk. The next thing I knew, thoughts began to flood my mind, and I wrote down whatever came to me.
I completely drifted from the class and continued writing. After some time, I looked down at the papers and realized I had filled seven pages, front and back. When I read what I had written, I was shocked to find that it was a complete business plan. I took up Human Resources Management as my major and planned to become an HR Manager or Director. However, this unexpected download of a business plan changed my path. I decided to pursue the plan that God had deposited in me, which conveniently still aligned with my field.
Fast forward to today, I am a full-time entrepreneur working in the very assignment God gave me years ago. This encounter happened when I did not have a close relationship with Him. I went to church but didn't know much about the Holy Spirit. God literally paved the path for me, and as a steward, I stepped into His will for my life without even knowing it at the time. When I veered off course, He never let me go astray but guided me back to His will, and still does. Reflecting on God's glory and all He has done; I get so emotional and remain grateful.
What's to Come
When I think about my future, I'm finally starting to see the plans that God spoke over my life years ago beginning to come to pass, or at least moving in that direction. The puzzle pieces are starting to come together. There are some things that I didn't know were part of my future, but I see now how God used things from my past to play a part in my destiny. That's how strategic he is. Everything is attributed back to Him, and I can never thank Him enough. I feel honored that He trusts me and sees me fit to carry out His plans. I am deeply grateful for what has come and for what is yet to come.
Final thoughts
In 2 Samuel 6:20-22, David danced in the streets, giving glory to God without caring who saw him or how he looked. One of his wives, Michal, Saul's daughter, called him shameless for dancing in front of other women. David responded that he was not concerned about her thoughts and was willing to look like a fool for his God. I'm learning that gratitude is not just a statement but a feeling so deep in your heart that you can't hold your composure. Like David, he doesn't hold it against us when we get off track. It's God's unconditional love that takes shame and casts it away. Embracing His love and continuously giving him glory is a sure way to get His attention.
Reflecting on my own life, I am confident that God always wants to see me win. Some days, I get flustered thinking about all the Lord has done for me. I've come a mighty long way and grateful for the journey and for His guidance. Even my setbacks are setups. In embracing a grateful heart, I find myself more resilient in the face of challenges and more joyful in everyday moments. Gratitude has become a guiding light, helping me navigate life's ups and downs with grace and a positive outlook. It reminds me to focus on what truly matters and to cherish the people and experiences that make life beautiful.
As Psalms 136:1-3 quotes, "Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits." I wholeheartedly agreeโthe Lord deserves my thanks every day, and I make it a point to express my gratitude. I am forever grateful and turning my life over to Christ is the best thing I could have ever done. Have you thanked him today?
Until next time!
- Authoress J. Henry, XOXO
๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
Most readers finish the book in an average of 2 days. Great book for men to read too. ๐๐
Also available on Amazon Kindle
๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐?
๐บ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐?
Click below to learn more about the Remote Year Program.
Check out highlights of my 1-month trip to Cape Town, South Africa!
Instagram > authoressj.henrybooks
Comments