Seventy Years of Gratitude and Grace — Carol McLeod Ministries
Seventy years ago, on a December evening, I was nestled snugly in my mother’s womb, waiting to make my grand entrance into this beautiful world. I had no idea what God had waiting for me, but His plans have far exceeded anything I could have imagined.
Over the decades, my life has been a tapestry woven with undeserved magnificence, challenges that nearly crushed me, assignments too wonderful to count, and people who have blessed me beyond measure. Through it all—whether in moments of joy or seasons of sorrow—one truth has remained unshakable: God’s goodness and faithfulness have carried me every step of the way.
Now, as I stand at the threshold of a new decade, I find myself filled with a profound sense of anticipation and resolve. I believe, with all my heart, that the best days of my life are still ahead. I am prepared for greater challenges that will stretch my faith, for assignments that will demand my very best, for doors that will open wide, and for uncontainable joy that only God can give.
I have made a commitment to this new season:
I will embrace ordinary days as if they were extraordinary holidays.
I will encourage others every single day, choosing words that bring life and hope.
I will not waste time on fleeting distractions or unimportant pursuits.
I will be fully present, “all in,” for every moment and every opportunity God places before me.
With a heart brimming with gratitude, I say, “Yes, Lord! Thank You for life—let me live it well.”
The Gift of Time
Reflecting on 70 years of life, I am awed by the blessings I have been given. Every memory, every moment has been a gift from the hand of a loving Father.
I am thankful for the home in which I was raised—a place where love and faith flourished. My parents were a gift, and I truly hit the family jackpot.
I am grateful for my extended family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—who enriched my childhood with laughter and love.
I am thankful for the churches that nurtured my faith, for the quiet saints who faithfully served, and for the pastors who shepherded with wisdom and grace.
I am blessed by the teachers who shaped my mind, especially Mrs. Dombrowski, an Australian war bride who introduced me to the world of reading in a one-room schoolhouse.
I treasure the years spent at Oral Roberts University, where I learned to hear God’s voice, worship wholeheartedly, and believe for miracles.
I am eternally grateful for the privilege of motherhood, an assignment that shaped me like no other. It taught me to die to self and find deep joy in the beauty of sacrifice.
I am thankful for music, which has been a lifelong source of discipline and delight, and for books, which have transported me to other worlds and taught me to see through the eyes of others.
J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, once wrote, “I suppose it is like a ticking crocodile, isn’t it? Time is chasing after all of us.” While time may chase me, I do not fear its ticking. My days and years are held securely in the hands of the Creator, and because of this, I can live with a joy and passion that are uncommon and contagious.
A New Chapter of Life
As the dawn of my 70th year approaches, I refuse to let the ticking of time fill me with dread. Instead, I will celebrate the gift of each new day with vigor and determination. Whether 17 or 70, the number of years matters far less than the joy and intention I bring to my life.
I resolve to:
Continue growing, learning, and creating.
Pray with fervor and rejoice with abandon.
Encourage others and spread hope with contagious joy.
Live fully, with a sense of wonder and gratitude for every moment.
The words of Lamentations 3:22-23 anchor my soul in this season:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
God’s faithfulness is the melody that has accompanied my life, and I know it will continue to play in the years to come.
A Reflection Question for You
As you consider the years God has given you, what are the blessings, lessons, and experiences for which you are most thankful? How will you embrace the days ahead with joy, purpose, and gratitude?
Let us not waste the precious gift of life. Instead, let us resolve to live fully, passionately, and with unwavering gratitude for the One who gives us every miraculous day.
Here’s to the next chapter—for me, for you, and for the glorious adventure that life becomes when God is at the center.
