Thankful, grateful, blessed. A decorative sign in our home correctly states my current attitude. But that wasn’t always true. Not long ago, overwhelmed, grieving, and slightly lost were better descriptors of my life. But I’ve traveled a path to grateful in the last few decades and it’s all because of Jesus.
It was autumn and I had just lost the two most influential women in my life, my mom and grandma. I took my mom’s passing particularly hard because it happened quickly, just one year from diagnosis to death. Her memory loss compounded our ability to say goodbye in a meaningful way. I felt like a ship without a rudder. We were close, could complete each other’s sentences, and suddenly she was gone. But God showed up.
A Path to Grateful
He was always there as I called on him continually through her illness. But with her gone, I needed him even more. God showed up while I grieved and cleaned my kitchen and as I recreated Mom’s stuffing that first Thanksgiving without her. He was with me when I went across the world on a mission trip, missed her terribly while raising our children, and began MemoryMinders. He continues to be here decades later telling everyone about how Brain Boosters books came to be part of a path to grateful.
My Brain Boosters books feel like a full circle moment in many ways. They were released on the anniversary of Mom’s death. I’ve completed a project I had dreamt of while writing encouragement and growing MemoryMinders. Listening to God and leaning into His presence allowed me to learn, create, and help so many people. My clients, dad, and other family and friends experiencing memory issues are just a few of those who have benefitted from this path and these books God has inspired. Yet, I’m not done and neither are you.
My journey on a path to grateful wasn’t without bumps, U-turns, and dead ends. But God kept showing up and pointing me to what was next. God directs our path and it’s our job to follow, even if we don’t always understand. And once we finish something, we keep listening. If we’re still alive, we have a job to do and a mission to fulfill. So I’ll keep listening and following.
What is next or how I’ll get there are unknown. But I know Who will be with me navigating the path. I’m thankful for this life, even with all its bumps. I’m grateful for all God has given me and hope to steward it well. And I’m blessed beyond measure because Jesus has saved me, is always with me, and will continue to lead me forward.
