How I Embraced My Word of the Year: Abundance

     One morning last week, in the midst of the Texas version of a blizzard, the Lord reminded me that He is enough for me and that He has provided everything I could possibly need out of immense love for me!

     This love and His faithful provision are true for all of His children. Even if God has not given you something that you desire, He knows what is best for you. In this, He can provide the absence of something—an absence that will draw you closer to Him, and He is all you need.

     Ultimately, He has provided eternal life through His son Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, saving us from separation from Him because of our sins.

     When I chose the word abundance before the first day of 2021, I knew I wanted to live in spiritual abundance specifically. Claiming abundance as my word of the year would not magically make me richer or my life fuller. Instead, it reminds me that I do not have to live in a scarcity mindset (which leads to hoarding and fear) with the Lord taking care of me.

     Instead, in a mindset of gratitude and generosity, I can look for the abundance of friendship, closeness with my family—and yes, even material things like good food—that He has given me.

     These moments of abundance come in the form of sweet texts from friends, a few days of working from home, the gentle fall of snow outside my window, and my life group praying for me to continue in a mindset of abundance.

     The Lord has abundantly provided for me in the little ways (like a good night's sleep and laughter with friends) and in the big ways (like my first job and my family's purchase of a car).

     How can I not trust Him when He knows how best to comfort each one of us in His presence?

     Draw near to Him today, dear one. He provides because He loves.

~Madeline