Four years ago my mom gave us a gift, a gift which started a tradition. She gave us a plain jar bearing a simple label which said, “Blessings 2017.” The best part of the gift was her challenge. “Every time the Lord blesses you, write it down and put it in the jar.” We started doing that.

Friday morning, Cici, Amelia and I engaged in one of our New Year rituals. Over pancakes and sausage, we opened the blessing jar, poured out the almost one hundred scraps of paper, and took turns reading.

Some of the blessings were huge. “Thankful that no one was hurt when Amelia’s car was struck and totaled.” “Thankful to have kept my job through the pandemic.” “Thankful for Jimmy D.’s call to pastor in Crozet.” Some of the blessings were small. “Thankful for ribeye steaks for my birthday.” “Enjoyed a good hike at Ivy Creek this morning.” Some of the blessings we had absolutely forgotten, until reminded by seeing the words in our own handwriting. 

I have always been intrigued by a phrase found in Deuteronomy 28:2, “…these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you…” On Friday morning, when we opened the blessing jar, we were overtaken with blessings, and overtaken with gratitude at the witness of God’s kindness, mercy, and faithfulness.

Until Friday morning, like so many people, I had been thinking that 2020 was not that great of a year. In our circle of family and friends, we have seen some real health challenges, legal setbacks, job loss, ministry disappointments and betrayal. We have struggled and seen our loved ones struggle.

Then we opened the blessing jar, and realized that 2020 was an incredible year of God’s goodness. We were overtaken by blessings, and reminded that the unchanging God of 2020, is the same God who walks with us into 2021.

I would encourage you to find a jar, and begin to fill it with “every good gift and every perfect gift which comes down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17), and may 2021 prove to be your best year yet.

Things to Do:  Start filling your “Blessing Jar” today.