Goodness, how would you define it? Really? Before reading on, give yourself a minute or three and let yourself smile at the first few thoughts you have as you dream about or ponder past goodness. I’m trusting this pause is a gift for you, a bright moment in your day. This morning I penned numbers 12,702-12,713 in my itty-bitty charis journal so be encouraged, goodness indeed abounds as we let it…
My definition of goodness has evolved over the years. I, like you, have always had the same ability to let goodness be goodness within sorrow-filled times, and times of great joy, but for me it wasn’t really real in either occasion. Deep within I struggled to believe goodness actually is good. My word for the year of 2017 was believe, at first I was nearly offended Jesus gave me this word, but as time passed He illuminated for me “believe” was given to me not only for me to yes, grow in my belief of Him as Son of God and Son of Man, but in my case, more importantly, He wanted my hearts belief to grow in the truth of His goodness, His perfect goodness.
I don’t think goodness becomes “better goodness” or “more real” to us when we continue living thinking “saying-it-makes-it-true” or “fake-it-until-we-make-it.” Goodness is good and that is true but for me, saying-it and faking-it only prolonged the real gift of actually receiving it. I share my fake-it-till-you-believe-it experience because it seems to be all too common in the church body. For the saints who let Jesus’ words be our life bringing words, I find nowhere in Scripture Jesus telling or teaching anyone to “fake” anything! If His goodness hasn’t undone you yet, you get to ask Jesus to be The Light which will shine for you, letting your belief in His goodness, possibly for the first time, become real and grow! I don’t have a method to share how His goodness went from being true (the yeah, yeah, yeah mentality) to being true and real. If you’d like to talk about it, I’m here to hear <3 What I can share and even promise is in your seeking of Him you will eventually taste His goodness and in tasting you will be transformed and the world will continue to come to know Him!
This year Jesus has brought to us tangible goodness. Since January I’ve logged in my itty-bitty book numbers 11,207 -- 12,713 that’s 1,506 good things and grateful moments. To specifically name a few… Ryan was honored at his workplace and he was able to continue helping with his family's tax business. Audrey was given the role she tried out for with a new drama production. The boys enjoyed school days. We purchased a lovely little home by a lake. Our family was “okay” during the COVID life-shift (re: kids schooling / work etc). Ryan and I just recently, finally, had a few moments together as husband and wife without interruption of family demands. Lastly, and possibly the sweetest good thing brought to us was the confirmation of a new addition joining our family <3
And no, I’m not pregnant!