If you’re like me, when things are tough, I turn to prayer. Praying during times of hardship feels like the first step in getting through whatever I’m up against. 2020 was a year filled with prayer, and yet there were moments where I felt miles from God. I was depressed, stressed, and angry. I fell into a loop of praying, not “seeing results,” and then turning to anger. I was impatient with God’s timing, and instead of the usual wave of calm I get post-prayer, I was left feeling empty and hurt. 

Fast forward to 2021. After a year of praying for guidance and health, things started to fall into place. I had prayed to find a job doing something I truly enjoy, and I was blessed with the position at FBC in April. I had prayed that my husband and I could find a home in such a stressful market, and we were blessed with our dream home in June. After months of rejection from dog rescues because our backyard was not fenced in, we were blessed with our puppy Atlas. 

When the pieces started to fall into place and I could see the bigger picture, I was elated. I felt the blessings from God, but I made one big error. I didn’t turn to prayer and thank God for the gifts we were given. I had prayed for a year and a half for a new job. I’d prayed about homeownership since we started saving two years ago, and I spent months praying that we would finally find the right dog. But as soon as we got what we wanted, it is like I forgot who blessed us with those things. 

After realizing my mistake, I prayed repeatedly thanking God for the blessings we currently have, and I was determined not to make the same mistake again. One day I was scrolling through Amazon and saw this sign in my suggested items. I didn’t hesitate to buy it. While I shouldn’t need a reminder to thank God for all the blessings in my life, I’m an imperfect person, so why not have a cute sign to help remind me? 

While I was thinking about writing this blog and pondering how to word what I wanted to say, I came across 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When God blessed my family with all the things we had prayed for, it was easy to give thanks to the Lord. But did I give thanks for what I had during 2020? No. I feel into the trap of impatience and anger. 

So, 2020 and 2021 taught me a few things. One, God will always answer your prayers, it just probably won’t be on your schedule. Two, even when things seem bad, there is always something to be grateful for. Three, never forget to thank the Lord during the blessed and the bad times. And lastly, never underestimate the power of a good sign. 

By: Savannah Dougherty, Communications Coordinator