Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:7 (ESV)
Abram saw God’s hand in his life and was so moved that he had to commemorate the event in tangible worship.
God spoke, loved, promised, acted; Abram built.
I made a post like this last year and thought I’d do it again because gratitude is so darn important. The Lord has blessed me so much in 2017. Here’s a few altars of my own to commemorate all he has done these last 12 months.
In 2017, God
❈ gave me the word “rest” as a focus for the year
❈ walked with me as I led a Connection Group by myself and taught me about leadership, grace, and His care for each soul
❈ let me watch one of my favorite people be proposed to
❈ kept the whole Buck family safe as we traveled to Waco and San Antonio, Texas, together
❈ reconnected me with a childhood BFF who helps me adore Jesus more
❈ loved on me through sweet friends and family who threw bridal showers and a bachelorette party before our big day
❈ strengthened Dellan to finish his last semester well and graduate from ISU
❈ provided a great job for him right away
❈ gifted us the BEST wedding day ever–this doesn’t fit into a single bullet because there was too much goodness
❈ gave us an incredible honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for our first week as Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn
❈ provided a place to live for the summer thanks to my generous parents
❈ gave us a much needed few months of rejuvenation after the craziness of school and wedding planning
❈ helped me write one blog post every month this year
❈ let me be a part of the coolest couple’s big day in Albert Lea, Minnesota
❈ granted my best pals and I the time and means to get together in Ohio for our 10-year friendiversary
❈ put me on the book launch team for Dance Stand Run with hundreds of other fiery Kingdom gals
❈ taught me to come to His throne with confidence and peace in His presence
❈ placed sister-friend at ISU this fall and gave us many fun Sunday dinners together throughout the semester
❈ gave us a fun weekend in Kansas City with our favorite (finally all married!) couple friends
❈ planted Dellan and me into an incredible Cell Group with kind and godly people
❈ calmed my fears and reassured me of His love and care
❈ allowed me to meet Jess Connolly, one of my favorite authors and women of God
❈ made us puppy parents to the goofiest and cutest English bulldog pup
❈ provided an opportunity to become a consultant with Beautycounter and start my own little business
And still to come: being the matron of honor in a fabulous friend’s wedding on the 30th! The year’s blessings definitely haven’t run out yet.
Last year I said that each one of these bullets could be its own blog post. This year, that is true again. God’s goodness to me is overflowing and the people in my life are wonderful.
I understand why He gave me the word “rest” this year because it honestly felt like a dream. After a few years of striving, battling, stretching, and growing, he gave me so much stillness and rest in Him these past months. I couldn’t be more grateful.
There’s a lot of unknown coming in 2018, but my soul feels renewed and ready for whatever comes. Here’s to a new year, new word (coming soon!), and new memories.
Here’s to the same God, who meets our every need and more. Praises be.
Gabrielle Ruth Writes 