We often forget the events and activities that shape our lives. The good thing about a journal is that it keeps the memory alive. In looking back, you see growth — not pain. Revisiting my journal from 2016, I am struck by how gratitude to God emerged as the anchor of that year. Gratitude for life spared, for family and friends, for opportunities gained and opportunities lost that were never mine to carry. Gratitude reframed my perspective then, and it continues to shape how I see the unfolding of my journey today.

Gratitude as Anchor

Gratitude is more than saying “thank you” — it is a posture of trust. In 2016, I learned to thank God not only for blessings but also for closed doors. What I thought were setbacks became reminders that stewardship includes accepting what is not ours to hold.

Growth Through Service

Service became the soil where growth took root. Roles I stepped into at church and in professional spaces stretched me beyond comfort. They taught me that leadership is not about position but about responsibility, and that God often uses service to prepare us for levels we cannot yet imagine.

Lessons in Conflict

Conflict revealed the importance of integrity. I learned that refusing to participate in negativity is itself an act of stewardship — guarding not only my own witness but also the dignity of others. Respecting differences and choosing peace became lessons that still guide me.

Vision and Discernment

Some opportunities were postponed, others declined, and some paths never pursued. Yet each decision was a test of discernment. I discovered that clarity of vision matters more than urgency, and that saying “no” can be as faithful as saying “yes.”

Continuity of Desire

My desire in 2016 was to see the church empowered to live the abundant life and demonstrate God’s Word practically. Ten years later, that desire has not faded — it has expanded. Today, I serve in new ways, but the heartbeat remains the same: to see God’s people flourish.

Reflection as Growth

Revisiting the past is like revisiting old places. Some seem smaller now, because I have grown. Reflection allows me to measure progress, to see God’s faithfulness, and to recognize that even forgotten moments were part of His shaping hand.

Closing Reflection

This recent journey of revisiting the past is not about meditating on the negatives, but about seeing how far I have come in all areas of my life. I look forward to sharing other parts of this journey, and to uncovering what lies in the journals of the years between then and now — insights that will continue to shape me today and in the future.

What themes emerge when you revisit your own past? Perhaps, like me, you will find that gratitude is the thread weaving through forgotten days, reminding you that growth is not accidental but guided by God’s steady hand.

This reflection is part of my author journey at Plunkett Writes. You can also follow along on Instagram @plunkettwrites, where I share my writing journey.