Chronicles of a Believer

What began as an answered-prayer jar has also become a gratitude jar. I am still figuring out when it evolved.

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Inspired by one of my favorite Christian YouTubers, JourneywithKiKi, I thought starting an answered-prayer jar would be a neat way to track how God answered my prayers. And one day, Dec. 8, 2023, to be exact, I just did it.

I used an empty jar from underneath my sink (I never know what to do with them and do not like to throw them away), cut up some scrap pieces of paper from a blank journal I hardly use, and began writing. 

Looking back over the past year, I was amazed at how God answered my prayers, even anticipating and providing for needs I had not prayed about, simply because He was attentive to me. A few things I wrote were:

• Dec 6, 2023: I prayed for God to use my mouth to edify others, and He has increased the conviction I feel when I use my tongue as a sword.

• Nov 26, 2023: I was running low on groceries and my friend’s mom bought me a few groceries. I did not pray; God was just paying attention.

• Nov 26, 2023: My family and I went shopping, and I wanted some self-care items, but I could not afford them. The next day, my granny told me I had left my Christmas stuff from last year at her house, and there were candles, bubble bath, Epsom salt, lotions, and body brushes in the gift bag.

• Oct 31, 2023: I needed to pay rent and did not want to be late. I withdrew my 401k and thought I would only get about $700. I received a deposit of well over $1,000 to pay my rent, had enough money to make the difference, and had money left over.

Before beginning this venture, I had trouble remembering how God answered my prayers. As a result, I would get frustrated as I looked to God to show up but felt like He was ignoring me.

Once I started the answered prayer jar, I gradually noticed the small ways God showed up every minute, hour, day, and week. Whether it was being protected as I drove, having food to eat, or being healthy and able-bodied, God was very much present. 

I also began recognizing and appreciating tiny blessings I overlooked because I wanted to see mountain-sized prayers answered.

While mountain-sized prayers are beautiful and speak to God’s unlimited and unfathomable capabilities, I was overlooking a vital truth: God is not just in the mountain-sized prayers but in the everyday and mundane moments of life.

Though I was spoiled and entitled at heart, I now understand that God does not owe me anything—not one single thing.

But out of His tender love, kindness, and mercy, He gives anyway – not because He expects anything in return, but because love is the essence of who He is. Love, by its nature, gives freely.

Through the gratitude jar, I have learned to appreciate the big and the small, respect God’s decision to give or not give, and appreciate His choice to graciously bless me. 

The gratitude jar also helps me cultivate joy in my life because I know that everything I need is right here and now. I am more present and enjoy blessings as they come because some are temporary and can be gone at any time.

And when I feel like prayers are not being answered and my faith is being tested, I have hope for what is yet to come and can remember just how kind God has been to me.

Most importantly, I recognize where my blessings come from and am more thankful for the blessing Giver than the blessings themselves.

And while I have not mastered these attitudes (and never will), I have made significant progress compared to where I started.

I pray this blessed you, friend. I love you.

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