Author: Amy

One of the new Christmas decor items I purchased on sale last year was damaged when I pulled it out of the box. The clay portion of the bottom was broken into several pieces. I super-glued it back together, discovering that one piece was still missing. As we were cleaning up after hours of unpacking and decorating, I found the missing piece! I was so happy. I grabbed the glue and began the careful surgery once more, though apparently I wasn’t careful enough! I pressed my thumb down on the piece to secure it, and when I lifted up my hand, the clay piece came with me! 

I had super-glued the clay to the end of my thumb. It was utterly sealed it to my skin! I yelled for Patrick, and he began researching what to do. One person suggested nail polish remover, so we started there. Nope. Another suggestion was paint thinner. I soaked my thumb and its clay compadre for thirty minutes. Slowly, it began to loosen. Finally, the piece came off, leaving a remnant of gray clay in its place for me to sport around for a few days. That’s fine! I was perfectly content to have at least lost my new appendage!

While I was soaking in paint thinner I told my family, “There’s a spiritual lesson in this.” They all laughed at me since this is my usual response to most situations, but it’s true! So here goes…

Sometimes we believe we are doing the right thing. We grab our glue and our well-meaning intentions, and we work diligently to fix a problem. We believe we are doing our part, the Lord’s work even. We assume we are operating in a healthy place as we measure and paste. But if our labor is done in our own strength, we are sorely misguided. The problem we set out to repair becomes a bigger problem, because our work is ineffectual. We are susceptible to the broken pieces of the problem permanently attaching themselves to us. 

I have seen this in my life. I have entered scenarios in full-blown savior mode, ineffectually striving to move mountains in my own power. Instead of the issue disappearing, it sticks to me permanently! As a believer, this need not be the case. To be in union with Christ is to rest in His effectual work. Only He cleanses. Only He heals. Only He delivers. Only He saves. Christ alone is Savior. 

I am typing these words with a gray-tipped thumb; the “scar” from my glue adventure remains. I bear many such scars from moments when I wasn’t careful. But by His grace, I now view them as reminders of my spiritual education. I am growing stronger every day in the reality that I am not in charge. I do not need to be the savior. There is only One who can solve my sticky scenarios. Christ Jesus is my Paint Thinner. 

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act. (Psalm 37:5)

As I drove my daughter home from ballet rehearsal, I shared a story with her from my junior year of high school. We had an extracurricular choir at our school, called Chorale, made up of the cream-of-the-crop singers. Of all the students auditioning to get into this choir, I was the only one who was consistently performing. In fact, I was the only one who planned to be a music major in college. However, I did not make the cut. I was shocked and dismayed. The choir director was even my personal voice teacher!

She explained to me that there were some vocal skills she wanted me to refine. I was to “work while I wait.” As you can imagine, I was devastated. This cut made me question everything about myself as a singer. Should I still even pursue music?

A year of hard work passed, and it was time for Chorale auditions once again. This time, not only was I accepted as a vocalist, but my teacher also asked my opinion concerning who else she should include in the group! My junior-year trial had inspired hard work and determination resulting in my senior-year triumph. My director’s trust in me was evidence of my personal growth.

As I shared this narrative with my daughter, I recognized the additional fruit stemming from that painful event in my life. Now, I could use this story to inspire Sabrina in her own area of “working and waiting.” And perhaps she will one day do the same for her daughter. 

We have no idea what the Lord is choosing for our lives nor why He is choosing it. What we do know is that He is working in us and through us for the sake of His good name and for the growth of His kingdom. 

May our failures or losses never defeat us. Instead, may we surrender them into His hands, believing He sees the big picture, knows best, and is sovereign on His throne. May we resolve to trust Him and to rest in Him while we work and wait. 

Wait for the Lord;
     be strong, and let your heart take courage;
     wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)

At the end of September, I believed my fall allergies were getting the best of me. Unfortunately, they weren’t to blame for my throat problems. Neither was Covid or strep throat. Some wicked virus had attached itself to me and remained my close companion for weeks. Laryngitis set in and I ended up missing rehearsals, voice lessons, choir classes, and worship services. Patrick had to double up on household and driving duties. But the biggest concern was potentially missing a women’s conference that had been on my calendar since January. 

During these days of total silence, several interesting occurrences took place. One sunny afternoon, I thought I’d try to get some vitamin D and returned from my lawn chair with over twenty no-see-um bug bites all over my body. I also learned I had disappointed a dear friend and had been doing so for months, which brought great sorrow. The list goes on of various discouraging scenarios that found me in the quiet. 

I am not a quiet person by nature. I forget how noisy I am until I can’t be! Apparently, I sing or hum constantly. Countless times, I caught myself attempting to do so to no avail. Nothing would come out! And as I would listen to my family converse, I became keenly aware of the myriad of comments I normally would add. When you must choose what is truly worth saying, you realize that not much is actually needed! By putting me in the quiet, the Lord was revealing new sections of my heart that needed refinement.

God was gracious to give me enough voice for two speaking sessions on the second day of the conference. I awoke that morning covered in peace and feeling better than I had in weeks. He even answered my prayer that I would wake up just a few minutes before my alarm rang. I felt totally sustained by His tender hand.

Our drive to the event was restful as we watched the sun peek out over the horizon. Setup was easy and all was well. A few minutes before starting time, I went to the restroom to put on my microphone. The worship team began the music—two songs, then I was on. I attempted to bring the earpiece of the mic though the back of my shirt. Immediately, I realized this was a poor decision, but there was no turning back. I contorted my body and tangled my hair, and after much trial and tribulation, succeeded. But then I realized the black foam piece of the microphone was missing! Was it still in my shirt? Had it fallen into my purse with its five pockets open? Was it on the bathroom floor? The music kept playing from the other room and I began to panic. 

My heart was racing as I searched high and low. My peace was fleeing. I stopped and put my hands on the sink counter and bowed my head in desperation, “Lord, help me!” Immediately, a sweet woman entered the bathroom, and I told her my dilemma. She quickly found the missing piece and I was on my way. I recomposed myself with a grin recognizing this last attempt from the enemy to undo this day’s purpose, an event ordained for my life since before time began. 

Lord, You are my God; 
I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; 
For You have worked wonders, 
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. (Isaiah 25:1)

Forces of evil can do nothing without the permission of God. His plans were formed long ago, and with perfection. Satan had to ask God to afflict Job. And Jesus told Simon Peter, “Satan has [begged] for the opportunity to destroy you” (Luke 22:31). The enemy makes not one move without the okay from a higher power. 

I can imagine the Lord saying, “You may go this far and no further.” How thankful I am for His constraining hand! My Father allows what my heart needs. He is interested in my spiritual surety. He desires that I lean on Him alone. When I live with this kind of understanding and trust, nothing can undo me. I shared with the women at the conference that any “woe is me” mindset disappears when we remember He alone is in charge. We rest in the noise. We rest in the quiet.

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

In August, my family was blessed to spend five nights and four days at the ocean. My brother and sister-in-law were generous to give us their resort points for Myrtle Beach. The trip came at a time when we didn’t feel we could take it, but also at a time when we needed it most. 

The summer months had flown by and there were many untended items left on our to-do list. The demands of fall were quickly approaching and the last thing we should have been doing was sitting on a beach! But four plane flights for the price of one were booked—we had to go! 

We have always preferred the lush, shell-filled sands of the Gulf of Mexico over the firm, flat shore of the Atlantic Ocean. However, our time on the East Coast proved to be incredibly dear. Each day at dusk the water would recede, leaving a smooth glass top to walk on. There were no shells or sticks, no bugs or birds, just a warm mirror under our feet reflecting the blue-grey sky. It was stunningly special. We four would stroll with wonder, exploring little channels of water rippling here and there, creating multifaceted diamond currents. It was an unexpected calm in our chaos that we will never forget it.

While we were packing up to leave, our fourteen-year-old daughter sat on the porch of our condo. Children were playing in the pool with the vast ocean behind them. Sabrina was tearily taking in one last time this scene she’d grown to love. She was expressing all the feels each of us held inside. It was time to face reality, to return to the daily grind, and resume chipping away at unfinished tasks. Sigh. We encouraged her that it would be sadder to have never experienced this adventure in the first place. 

I’d asked the Lord to give us some special moments together before we had to be at the airport that evening. We set out on a day of unknowns, but God was gracious to answer my prayer. We stumbled upon a bucket-list item of Sabrina’s that she’d heard of others doing: driving motorized stuffed animal scooters around a mall! Lord, You are hilarious. 

The day concluded with sitting idly on the tarmac awaiting our plane’s co-pilot till after midnight, giving us time to socialize with the young man in the seat next to us. We ended up driving him to his new apartment in downtown Indianapolis at 3 AM. This was certainly a trip to remember!

You’re probably wondering where the spiritual application is. There is none. I only wish to express my gratitude to the Lord for this precious getaway which we didn’t feel we could take but which was what we needed most. We won’t ever forget it.

People look at my family on social media or when we are out and about or even sitting in the church pew and think we have it all together. I’ve been placed on a pedestal my entire life because of being in ministry. I was born into ministry and I will die in ministry. The result is often a stereotype that my family is perfect, or at least thriving at life.

There is some sort of mystery associated with being a musician, and being married to a debonair Frenchman and raising two daughters who are also artsy adds to the charm. My family and I travel and perform and compose and do everything together and, well, we just aren’t “normal.” Maybe this is why individuals have said things to me like, “I want your life” or even, “I want to be you.” 

The reality is our poo stinks like everyone else’s. Not only do we experience trials and sorrows and frustrations, but shortcomings and failures are on daily display at the Fata house. On any given day here, you can find self-focus, pride, anxiety, fear, anger, poor stewardship, or even gluttony—especially if it’s a birthday! My point is that sanctification is in full swing here, and sometimes it is ugly.

My firstborn was baptized yesterday at age seventeen. Liliana claimed Christ at a tender age, but not until recently has she understood the joy and freedom that is truly hers in Him. She was eager to publicly express her faith. I pray hearers were blessed, but perhaps they were also shocked. Liliana has struggled with darkness and fear for many years. No one can fathom the paths we have trod with things that counselors have never even heard of. It has been a lonely and grievous journey at times. 

The Lord has been gracious to shine His light of Truth upon Lillie and lead her out of depression and falsehood. She was radiant in those baptismal waters yesterday, and my cheeks were equally wet with tears. This scene was possible through Christ alone. I am beyond grateful for the work He has done in my baby girl. Below is her personal testimony. May it be purposed for His glory now and forever!

Testimony of Liliana Fata

I am blessed to have been born and raised in a Christian home. My parents always made sure to provide a good model of a Christ-led life for my sister and me. At age six, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and have since then, because of doubt, prayed the same prayer that He would be Lord of my life hundreds of times more. 

As long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with crippling anxiety. Child-like fear grew into legitimate phobias. In eighth grade, I began having panic attacks consistently, and for years they never died down. I was often absent from school, refused to go on stage for performances, and even missed church. 

On top of this, in middle school, I began to suffer from joint pain, often at high levels, from my knees to my elbows. This prevented me from doing the things I loved most: I had to sit out on full semesters of dance and stop practicing violin for months at a time. 

All this filled me with dread for daily activities and for my future as a whole. I went into a dark place and found joy in nothing, even in the things I had previously enjoyed most. Depression had become a normal part of each day.

Throughout my whole life I have considered myself to be a Christian. However, when my loved ones would ask me when I was planning to be baptized, my response was always that I did not think I was ready. I felt that if I were to be baptized and declare my faith publicly, it would be a lie. I had let myself succumb to so many panic attacks and dark thoughts, and had not sought God in trying times. How could I then truthfully call myself Christian? 

For years, I had a misconstrued vision of what life in Christ looks like. I let my perfectionism dictate how I viewed my relationship with Him. I thought, “I’m still dealing with the same sins and struggles. I’ll declare my faith once everything’s been fixed and I’m ‘made new.’” The truth is that He did die so that we could be made new. But we are still going to deal with sin while we are on this earth. 

Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Earlier in the same passage, Paul proclaims that “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 

I now understand that a life in Christ is built on hope. My salvation is not determined by who I am or what I’ve done, but rather who He is and what He’s done. 

I know that my struggles have purpose, and that the only cure for my sin is Him. Through Christ, my anxiety has been at an all-time low. He has even revealed ways to minimize my joint pain. Most importantly, I have been instilled with a new zeal for life and a longing to do His will. My future may feel unsure, but I know that I can rest assured in His plans for me. 

As a mother, I rejoice in answered prayer for my daughter’s freedom in Christ. The darkness no longer deceives her. Things weren’t what they seemed; although hope had disappeared, her reality had never changed. Lillie was and is safe in the arms of her heavenly Father. I am thankful to Him for His patient love. He knows what each heart must endure in order to be drawn closer to His Son. As His people, may we run quickly to Him at the onset of every trial. And may we lift up Christ and Christ alone, realizing that all of His people, no matter how they seem, are utterly dependent on Him.

We just debuted a new worship song for Harbour Shores Church. The song, based on the book of James, is called “I Am Content with Your Choice.” Patrick and I usually write a theme song for each sermon series. We weren’t able to produce one for the previous series in Revelation because we were too swallowed up by life, moving constantly back and forth between survival mode and recovery mode—all while trying to be content with the Lord’s choices! Truly, this last year has been filled with intense situations.

It began with a drastic change in my schedule while supporting my parents. We moved them into assisted living, established them in their new apartment, and emptied their home. The Lord grew us in contentment as He proved His faithfulness.

Then we lost Patrick’s brother William to cancer. This is a loss we will never stop feeling. However, we are thankful for the unexpected time God gave us with him after bringing him through a devastating reaction to immunotherapy. The Lord grew us in contentment as He proved His goodness.

And now my brother is hospitalized due to his immunotherapy treatments. Joel is fighting for his life against a second round of cancer. The Lord is growing us in contentment as He proves His sovereign control. 

This year we have done all we could to maintain our work schedules, keep ourselves financially afloat, meet the daily needs of our teenage daughters, support my parents in their transition, and encourage Patrick’s mother through the darkest days of her life. The Lord has grown us in contentment as He has proven His mercy. And when discontentment has reared its ugly head, those moments have been covered in grace as well.

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

James asks us to view our trials through the lens of joy, for they produce endurance in us. They are for our good! As we trust Christ in every trying circumstance, our faith and contentment grow. The result is our completion, a lack of nothing! When the next trial presents itself, may I confidently and immediately (and joyfully!) declare to the Lord, “I am content with Your choice.”

I AM CONTENT WITH YOUR CHOICE
For Harbour Shores Church, based on the book of James (Portion Music © 2024)

To You, I come, O Father, I fall on bended knee
Remove my fear and doubting—I have Your Son in me
In calm or chaos lead me, with wisdom clothe me now
Let faith inspire service, put my hand to the plow

You are the God of all truth
You are the Lord of light
You are the Fount of wisdom
The Judge of all that’s right
So through rains of pain or springs of joy
I am content with Your choice

My heart may ask for wrong things, my tongue may boast in pride
Yet I am but a vapor and have so little time
Let me be quick to listen, let me be slow to speak
Your goodness is my portion, my strength when I am weak

You are the God of heaven
You are the Lord of love
You are the Fount of mercy
With good gifts from above
So through rains of pain or springs of joy
I am content with Your choice

You are the God of his’try
You are the Lord of now
You are the Fount of future
To You alone I bow
So through rains of pain or springs of joy
I am content with Your choice

Through ev’ry trial perfect me, embolden me with faith
Whatever lies before me, I’ll offer You my praise
Oh be my heart’s devotion, receive this prayer I voice
What You ordain for me, Lord, I am content with Your choice

My friend and I use the phrase “in a hole” to describe our emotional state during difficult times. We make comments like: “Don’t worry, I’m not in a hole.” “I’m on the edge of a hole.” Or, heaven forbid, “I’m in a hole.” 

I recently returned from a small getaway with Patrick. Our time away couldn’t have been sweeter. The reentry into real life, however, was not as sugary. I stood on the edge of a hole the entire first day back. Difficulties and disappointments seemed to hit from every angle. Joy was non-existent. Tears were waiting in the wings ready to make their grand entrance. 

The enemy knows where to aim his arrows. My heart is so easily swayed into a “woe is me” condition. I prayed through the day making small attempts to step away from the looming hole. I felt unfit for human consumption and yet was desperately needed by all of my humans. I kept the hole in view, longing to leap in and surrender to the consolation of self-pity. 

I wish I could report that by day’s end all was well and that I went to bed floating on a cloud of spiritual freedom and joy. No, I’m writing these words in the darkness of the wee morning hours after very little sleep. My heart is relieved that I do not have to lead worship this morning, for I am weary and out of step with my true reality.

I’ve tromped through all my memory verses. I’ve texted my friend about the infamous hole. And, most importantly, I’ve repented to the Lord for this ungrateful heart posture. So what’s left to do? Well, perhaps it’s time to practice what I preach… 

First, I must speak truth to myself. I’ve spent the last several years encouraging fellow women believers to lean into their union with Christ. The reality of “Christ in us” is why Truth Matters. He is our source of strength, safety, stability, and service. His power is fully available to us. It’s not something we need to search out or somehow conjure up on our own. It’s fully ours!

My oneness with Christ is how I will put one foot in front of the other today, tomorrow, and all the days to follow. This union is also how I will let go of yesterday’s gloom. Joy is mine in Him! Charles Spurgeon said, “There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are.” This level of contentment is mine to choose, and He will enable me to do so. Today, I choose joy. 

…do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Second, I must answer my call to gratitude because Gratefulness Matters. The city where we’d just experienced our mini vacation is populated by many joyless people. Some street corners revealed the grievous tragedy of extreme poverty. We also crossed paths with countless individuals who were at a loss not for money but for satisfaction. It was obvious on their faces, in their demeanors, or in their life pursuits.

I don’t have to look far to find the blessings that are mine in Christ Jesus. I have true satisfaction through my identity in Him. I even have a warm bed to cuddle up in! Why choose to dwell in despair and teeter on the edge of a hole? Yes, trials are difficult. But even on the most devastating of days, I can be grateful for my Savior’s presence and power at work in me.

Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, 
“All my springs of joy are in you.” (Psalm 87:7)

I definitely fit into the category of “those who sing.” May my song ever proclaim the truth and joy He supplies. This is what leaning into my union with Jesus looks like. Held tightly to His chest, there is no hole in view.

Patrick and I were given an Airbnb gift card last December. We are excited to get away for three whole nights soon! It’s taken us six months to find space on the calendar to enjoy this gift. Our schedules have felt like a battle. The stress we’ve been under is unbelievable. With summer on the horizon, we are starting to breathe again. 

Scripture doesn’t promise us smooth sailing in this sea called life. It does, however, exhort us to be obedient to God’s commands, and He promises His blessing in return. We’ve definitely experienced the blessing of the Lord’s sustaining hand on us during this season as we have chosen to lean into Him for strength. We could not have weathered such storms on our own. How do people survive outside of a relationship with Jesus? We need Him every hour. 

When the battle feels overwhelming, I ponder this story…

In 2 Chronicles 20, the Israelites are facing a gruesome battle against their enemies and things are looking grim. Jehoshaphat cries out to the Lord in verse 6, saying, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” 

Later he prays in verse 12, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Don’t you love this verse? How often have we felt this way? “I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You.” Looking to Christ in obedient trust during a trial results in His sustaining power. 

Next, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon one of the Levites who then encourages the people not to be afraid, because the Lord is indeed with them.

Continuing in verses 18–21:
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,

“Give thanks to the Lord,
          for his steadfast love endures forever.”

 These words are used as a battle cry, a song to the Lord of powerful praise. The people begin their praises before the battle is won! This is faith! And what does God then do? He moves against their enemies.

Verse 22:
And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against [their enemies]…

Victory is theirs, and even a great spoil is gathered!

And finally, we read the following in verses 27–29:
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.

Notice that the Israelites returned in the same manner in which they had gone out: with music, worship, and praise. May we too be willing to humbly bow in the worship of our God before the battle, during the battle, and after the battle. We can “give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures!” This is our battle cry.

Patrick and I have promised not to do any work during our treasured time away. The plan is to reflect, rest, and refuel. We will reflect with grateful hearts on what the Lord has brought us through in our past. We will rest in His goodness in our quiet present. And we will refuel as we feed on His promises while we plan our future with confidence, for He will be faithful in every battle that lies ahead. Our call to obedient trust is clear: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

My family goes all out when it comes to birthdays. Patrick and I take turns baking and decorating the girls’ cakes; I handle their even-year birthdays and he handles their odd years. That leaves us both with two cake challenges annually: one daughter’s and one spouse’s. 

Sometimes our cake constructions last for days. This process is not for the faint of heart! Poor Patrick has a busy month for many reasons. Not only is April packed full of events and work deadlines and college visits for Lillie, but her 17th birthday lands just two weeks after mine. That’s two cakes to conquer for my dear husband! And this year happens to be a major milestone birthday for me (GULP). I mean, no pressure, but he needs to make this one count! 

This birthday has inspired much reflection for me. I’ve dreaded it for some time, not because of a vanity issue, but because my brain will not compute the fact that I am this old. How did this happen? I am the age my mother was when Patrick and I got married! It’s easy to question what the Lord is doing at this point in my life. Have we reached the extent of our musical accomplishments or ministry capabilities? How will our parents’ needs impact our future? How about our daughters and their upcoming new life stages? I find myself constantly reflecting on what has been while simultaneously dreaming about what may be. 

I believe there are two options for me as I approach this fresh decade of life: I can grin and bear it while hiding it under a bushel (this is actually not a bad option—I am under no obligation to publicly express my personal realities!). Or I can steal lyrics from The Greatest Showman and boldly sing from the rooftops, “This is Me!” I realize that most people live somewhere between such extremes. Though my life is currently topsy turvy, I am confident in my Savior, so I am going to choose the latter while seeking to glorify Him in the process.

When it became obvious that Gratefulness Matters was going to be ready for release in April, we decided to combine this major birthday with this very special launch. What a perfect way to express my gratitude to the Lord for the many days He has allowed me to walk this earth. I am presenting to my fellow sisters in Christ twelve Gratefulness Reminders that will deepen their understanding of their union with Him. May our lives be transformed for His glory as we answer our call to gratitude!

Today, I am most grateful for two things: this study, which is ripe and ready for your hands, and for my birthday, which represents years of God’s faithfulness to me. I’m going to milk this decade for all it’s worth, owning it all the way for His glory… 

My name is Amy Fata and I am grateful to be 50.

Every year on March 14 I have this overwhelming sense of the fragility of life, and I marvel with gratitude that I am still here. As my daughters were getting ready for school this morning, I showed them old videos of themselves from twelve years ago. “This is how tiny you were when the car crash happened.” What if I had left them then? It’s hard to imagine. 

I filmed the girls the morning after the car accident, Lillie playing with Sabrina through the slats of her crib. She was singing classical music to her and thumping on her diapered bottom as a drum, my little five-year-old who is now looking at colleges that offer a major in violin performance. I remember all that was filling my heart that morning, secretly watching those little girls, listening to the warm house noise they created. I know I hadn’t slept a wink. That was a night of reckoning as I marveled at God’s protective hand over my life.

I recently had a new chiropractor tell me that there is no way I didn’t experience whiplash with a car crash of that magnitude. Then moments later, he looked at my x-rays and couldn’t believe how healthy they appeared. “I wouldn’t have known you were in that kind of crash,” he remarked. Perhaps there has been healing in these last twelve years, or perhaps there was no whiplash. 

I remember feeling like I was in a protective bubble as that semi tore off the front end of my Jeep. Everything was flying around me. Metal was violently twisting, and the vehicle was spinning, but I was fine. I wasn’t even panicked. When the Lord intervenes in ways that we actually witness, we cannot deny His presence and protection. There are thousands of ways He is present and protective every day that we are unaware of, but sometimes He gives us a peek. 

We are getting ready to launch Gratefulness Matters next month. This is Matters Ministry’s second women’s Bible study, following Truth Matters. On this day, March 14, I am extremely grateful that I can look back and reflect on twelve years of life. “Grateful” doesn’t begin to describe it. It’s been twelve full and exciting years as we have raised our girls, transitioned elderly parents, developed ministries, added to our musical careers, and fallen more in love with each other and with our Jesus. 

Gratefulness matters in the life of a believer because the Lord calls us to gratitude. It’s not a suggestion, it’s His command for our lives. He knows that what is best for us is glorifying Him through trust and gratitude. We are to be a grateful people! And some days, that just feels easy.