Slow blinking, because it’s hard to believe that this year I turned 40! I suppose that would mean that I am officially an adult?

A lot has changed with me in the past five years. And a lot is still the same. Ethan is no longer a baby–he started 2nd grade this year, but he’s forever my baby. I finished my dissertation and officially became Dr. Erin Almond. We welcomed a baby boy in December 2021 (who is now about to be TWO years old #timeslowdown). My father passed away unexpectedly in February 2021. My mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. Preacherman and I both have different jobs with the same employers, and we’re still blessed to lead Higher Definition Church (now planted in the Arlington area of Jacksonville). Oh, and there was an entire global pandemic!

And so while a lot has changed, I’ll say this- God is the same. His faithfulness through these last few years has been beyond what I can imagine. There were days that felt really tough, and there were days that were full of joy – and in both, God is/was good.

It can be easy to deposit a, “God is good” when you feel that to be true. Similarly, it can be easy to slide into feelings that allow you to doubt God’s goodness when you feel that you’re going through hell and high water. The truth of the matter is that God is still good, still faithful, and still true to His word regardless of the circumstances happening in us and around us.

Navigating the last few years forced me to lean into the fact that every circumstance in my life is an opportunity to see and experience the goodness of God. It helped me to reframe my perspective and begin to operate more from a place of gratitude.

If you find yourself struggling to “feel” the goodness of God, know that you’re not alone. When life happens (or when life be lifing), it can be hard to feel or see His goodness- and yet it is there. My challenge for you is to try to name your blessings (or as the hymn says, “count your blessings, name them one by one”). And if you can’t name them, just expressing gratitude to God, a simple, “Lord, I thank you” is a good start.

Friends, I’m happy to be back in this space. I’m praying for you; that you know that His goodness and mercy follows you, that His mercies are new every morning, that He is for you, that He is good, and that every bit of your life testify to His goodness.

Until next time- be encouraged! Peace and blessings!