Anniversary: The annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event.
Monument: A lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone or something notable or great.
In Bible times people of old built a monument to remember important events in their lives. Every time they looked at the monument, they remembered what God had done for them at that particular time. Today we have anniversaries, and each year on certain days we celebrate or reflect on different occasions. A birthday is actually a one-year anniversary of our birth. The last four months have been full of anniversaries or monuments to God’s faithfulness.
In May we celebrated the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. This type of anniversary is usually not significant enough to remember every year, but 50 years is certainly one of those occasions that warrant celebration. It was such fun spending time with people who knew me in those early days. We were children together and share special memories that only we could share.
Johnny and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in June, and this is one occasion that we have remembered every year on June 26th. Johnny and I entered into a covenant 50 years ago, and because of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord Jesus, we were able to celebrate this day together for the 50th time.
In August I celebrated my 25th anniversary as an employee of Houston’s First Baptist Church and my 22ndanniversary as director of the First Place 4 Health program.
September 13th marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ike and the devastating effect it has had on our lives. Johnny and I still do not know all that God is doing in this situation, but we do know one thing: even though we lost everything we owned, God has magnificently provided for our every need since the storm. We have great peace and are claiming Isaiah 40:31, Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I finished my “Give God A Year” challenge on August 24th, and immediately began my second year with God. Some of the things on my list still need to be completed, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for the year ahead as I endeavor to give Him first place in my life. My new book, Give God A Year: Change Your Life Forever comes out in December and I am praying that many of you will want to give God the next year of your life as well. If so, we’ll celebrate our anniversaries together!
Blessings to you,
Carole Lewis
First Place 4 Health National Director
Carole was a member of the original First Place group that began in 1981, and became the national director of the program in 1987.
When Carole attended the First Place orientation in March of 1981, she eagerly anticipated what God might want to do in her life. She had recently seen an old friend that looked great and who reminded her that they were soon approaching 40 years old. Carole determined she did not want to be “fat and 40.” She joined First Place and soon lost 20 pounds. Learning how to bring balance to her life, she became a First Place leader to motivate others to achieve this goal.
Carole is a popular speaker and author of the books, Choosing to Change, First Place 4 Health, Today Is the First Day, Living Well, Back on Track, A Thankful Heart, Stop it, The Divine Diet, and Mother/Daughter Legacy. Carole regularly leads Conferences, Wellness Weeks, Change Your Life Events and seminars across the country in the areas of personal balance, fitness, encouragement and temperament analysis. Her audiences know her as warm, honest and humorous.