January 1
STRANGE FAMILY ADVENTURES | One of our favorite parts of the New Year is to take some time to go through the jar of Strange Family Adventures from the previous year. We dump out the jar and then go around the circle with each person picking up an item as we remember something special about that time. Sometimes it’s something that only one of us attended, just the guys or girls, Mom and Dad, just the kids, or with the whole family and friends. We have movie tickets, mementos from mission trips, plane tickets, tickets from ballgames, wristbands from various activities, wedding programs, programs from @nccseagles and @nsckennesaw events, memorial remembrances, hotel keys, restaurant receipts, schedules from @tritheparks, piano recitals, camp bracelets from @woodlands, and that’s all just this year! This is a great way for us to be reminded of how much we have to be grateful for and to dream a bit about the year to come. Emma got our jar all fixed up for the year ahead. Believing God has some fun Strange Family Adventures in store for 2023. Asking Him to lead us! #7000days
Revelation 21:5
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
January 4
SITTING IN THE SUFFERING | I can’t even begin to imagine what Job was feeling and what his friends must have thought when they heard and saw what he had been through. Many of us have people dear to us that have walked or are walking through suffering and we wrestle with what to say or what to do. Job’s friends “sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” Job 2:13 ESV
Are you a sit in the suffering type of friend? Has someone sat with you in yours? Look around today, who needs the ministry of presence?
God is faithful. He is working.
#FromEdenToEternity @thedailygraceco
January 10
MY REDEEMER LIVES | This statement is one that’s fairly familiar. It’s included in songs or woven into “Christianspeak” quite frequently. I can assure you that it’s not flippant or easy for Job to make that statement in Job 19.
As you read the book of Job and understand what Job and his family walked through…even just the recap in Job 19…you’ll see that he’s declaring this from the depths of a life that has been rocked to the core. This is Job’s response to what he has walked through even with the realization that there is likely more to come.
From the mountaintops of celebration to the darkest places in the valley of despair, our Redeemer lives and will stand on the earth when all is said and done. Let that be the anthem over whatever you are facing.
God is faithful. He is working.
#FromEdenToEternity @thedailygraceco
January 16
LITTLE BIG SOUTH | This weekend was a first for our family and it was such a blast to have Mimi, Aunt Katie, Uncle Deedle, and the Graffam Cousins in town to join us. Emma had her first @575volleyball tournament all weekend at the Georgia World Congress Center and we had so much fun cheering on our girl and her team.
Our hope for this season is simply that Emma will grow in her gifts, talents, and interests while bringing glory to God through her efforts. We also are committed to helping her be the best teammate she can be. This is such a fun time in the life of our girl and we are so grateful God has blessed us with a front seat to the action. Also, these tournaments are no joke…I need a nap and I was only sitting and watching 😂😂
#7000days #GoSharks @lilbigsouth @575volleyballlakepoint
January 17
HIS PLANS CAN’T FAIL | In order to understand the magnitude of this verse, it’s important to put it in the context of the entire story of Job. There is likely no other person in all of history who would have more excuse for doubting God’s plans and purpose. Job had seen God’s faithfulness at every turn in his life and when that was all he had to cling to…he knew it was enough.
Whatever you are walking into this week…whether it’s the lowest of dark valleys or the highest of mountaintop celebrations, God has a plan and He is faithful.
Job is a hard book to read, but it is a sweet reminder that God never forgets us. He sits with us in the mess and we can trust His goodness. He’s proven Himself time and time again!
God is faithful. He is working.
#FromEdenToEternity @TheDailyGraceCo
January 18
A YEAR IN THE BIBLE | I’ve had the privilege of reading through the Bible with a variety of Bible plans over the years. I ALWAYS learn something new. The last few years, I’ve used the M’Cheyne Reading Plan and really appreciated the way it takes readers through the New Testament and Psalms twice a year, and through the rest of the Bible once each year. There are approximately 4 chapters per day in this plan.
As I was praying about a plan for 2023, I realized I had not read through the Bible chronologically and knew that would be a helpful way to read God’s word. I’m really enjoying the Year in the Bible reading plan from @thedailygraceco. In addition to the scheduled Bible passages each day, they also offer the @dailygracepodcast which is a 5-7 minute podcast that discusses that day’s reading. I’ve enjoyed reading the Scripture first and then listening to the podcast at some point during the day that offers some great study helps and resources.
What Bible reading plan are you using this year? Most importantly…what is God teaching you about Himself as you study and meditate on His word?
January 22
TEACHERS | Our teachers @nccseagles always go above and beyond. This is yet another example. After spending all morning helping at Preview Day on campus, Mrs. Bare came to cheer on some of her students in their City of Acworth Basketball game.
@clintstrange32 is one of Eli’s coaches and he said all the boys on the bench were taking about how cool it was that a teacher would come and cheer on their students on a Saturday.
When Eli and I were getting in the car after the game, I asked him “why do you think Mrs. Bare came to your game?” Without a delay, he replied “because she loves me.” I’m so grateful my kids are growing up in a school where they are surrounded by adults who love Jesus and are pursuing their calling to spur kids on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Thank you Mrs. Bare!
January 24
NCCS FAMILY | Special night last night hanging with our North Cobb Christian School Upper School families talking about lots of exciting things for the 23-24 school year. I’m so grateful for our Upper School Faculty and Staff who make NCCS an incredible place for kids to grow, learn, and discover who God designed them to be. Always grateful to be able to gather with parents and to pray for them and their kids. The Lord has really knit together a unique community at NCCS and I’m so humbled and blessed to be a part of it! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
January 25 NCCS ALUMNI ROADTRIP | 395 miles. Biscuits in Birmingham. Tacos near Toomers. Such a blast catching up with some of our @NCCSEagles alums from Samford, UAB, and Auburn today. Grateful for the opportunity to hear how the Lord is working in and through their lives. Lots of laughs and many precious stories of God’s faithfulness. Thank you Lord for the gift of the @nccseagles family and the privilege to watch our @nccs.alumni step into what God has for their lives. Always a privilege to pray for them and cheer them on…which is best done over brunch and tacos on many occasions! #EaglesForever#GoEagles#WeAreNCCS#NCCSFamily
JANUARY 27 MOM MOVES TO ACWORTH | The most exciting news of the year! My Mom has moved to Acworth to be close to us. I’ve lived here since December 2022 and my Mom has done a great job of being super supportive of Clint, Emma, Eli, and me. We’ve been praying for quite some time that something might work out for her to move to Acworth. Lots of very specific things unfolded pointing towards this outcome. The caravan of Clint, Mom, and I rolled into Acworth this evening and we enjoyed her first hometown meal at Rico’s Mex Mex. Off to a solid start! Welcome to Acworth!
