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The Alphabet Challenge

If you’ve been on social media for the past few years, chances are you’ve seen more than your share of challenges.

Like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014.

Or the Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge of 2015.

More recently, there was the Snow Challenge which started trending during the Jonas Blizzard of January 2016. (If you haven’t seen this one, do yourself a favor and google it…then add everyone of those people to your prayer list!)

With the exception of A FEW, most of these challenges are dangerous and don’t serve a purpose other than gaining likes or views on social media.

So when I came across what I’m calling The Alphabet Challenge in Max Lucado’s bestseller “Before Amen: The Power of A Simple Prayer” I knew it could be a life changer for many.

In Before Amen, Max discusses the importance of giving thanks in a simple yet powerful exercise called alphabetizing your blessings.

Working your way through the alphabet, the goal is to list reasons to be thankful to God.

The list doesn’t have to be too detailed or serious.  It’s meant to be a reminder that in spite of what is going on in our lives, we still have a lot to be grateful for.

After reading Max’s list, I decided to do my own.  And, I hope you will take up this challenge and create a list as well.

I plan on posting mine in my bedroom as a visual reminder for days when I am tempted to slip into a rant about how badly life sucks for me.


The Alphabet Challenge

I am thankful for…

Airplanes – and being able to travel to different parts of the country/world.

Bible [Apps] – because they help me discover God’s words on a daily basis. (My favorite translation right now is the NLT.)

Cake – cheesecake (with strawberries and extra whipped cream on the side); Carvel ice cream cake; Red velvet cake! Yes I’m very thankful for cake!

Daughter – who is incredibly talented, smart, loving, and is by FAR one of the greatest blessings of my life so far.  I could go on and on about my angel but there’re still a lot more letters left in the alphabet.

Education– both formal and informal- which helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Friends and family– my circle may not be big but I know my friends and immediate family always have my back.

Girlfriends– like Sheila & Tasha who knew the old, not saved, not so nice Rox but almost 15 years later are still the best friends a girl can have!

Health– I thank God the body He gave me still holds up pretty well despite all the careless decisions I made in my 20s; thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through!

Ignore– admit it, some days you’re thankful for that feature on your phone as well. #nottodaysatan

Job– even though I complain about my current job I still have to be thankful for it and the financial stability I have been afforded over the years.

Knowing God– when I think about my life and who I was outside of Christ, I’m beyond thankful that today I KNOW God and that we have a working relationship.

Love– love of God, love of family, love of friends.

Mentors– like Minister Mary who checks me (in love) when I’m doing or saying something crazy or contrary to the Word of God; mentors like Tobi Atte of ijustmetme who worked with me this past summer to get my blog up and running….Thank God for mentors who invest in my life!

#theAlphabetChallenge

#theAlphabetChallenge

No– thank God for “NO”.  Even though I cried, complained, or got mad every time you told me “NO” I see now it was only to shield me from the unseen or to steer me towards something greater.

Orchestrating – every detail of my life.  Nothing is by chance.  Nothing is by accident, including the fact that I’m an October baby! #bestmonthever

Peace [of mind]- because there was a point in time that I had none.  My mind was always ON…but thank God for the peace He gives me; He is my Prince of Peace!

Quiet [time]– when I can just sit back and relax and not have to do or be anything.

Reggae [gospel music]- anyone who knows me, knows I can’t live without reggae music. So THANK YOU JESUS for artists like Jermaine Edwards and Positive that allow me to get my reggae fix and keep my salvation.

Sisters and shoes– I love my sisters….and I love my shoes…no girl should have to choose between the two so I’m including both because I LOVE my sisters and I LOVE my shoes!

This is Her Journey– which continues to be so much more than I ever imagined.  It’s only been a few months but I know God has greater things in store for TIHJ.

Umbrellas – because keeping my hair dry on a rainy day is kind of really important to me.

Vacations – need I say more?

Wifi– which my daughter thinks she can’t live without, so on her behalf, thank you Lord for wifi.

X-Chromosomes which is just my creative way of saying I’m thankful I am a woman…I’d love to see what you come up with for the letter X.

Yes- every time I didn’t deserve to be blessed but you still said YES! Every position I wasn’t “qualified” for, but you still said YES!  Every time I thought I wasn’t worthy but you still said YES – thank you!

Zoos – and all the fun memories…like when I took my little one and her BFF to the zoo last Spring.

For my A to Zs, thank you God for everything!

Now, it’s your turn. What would your list of ABCs look like?

Comment below and share some (or all) of  what you’re thankful for.

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5 Comments

  • Reply Ria Ekomoni

    I will be doing this challenge soon and sharing. Great job SISTER. I love you too.

    02/25/2016 at 7:42 AM
    • Reply This Is Her Journey

      Can’t wait to see!

      02/26/2016 at 11:00 AM
    • Reply Ria Ekomoni

      Here are my responses to The Alphabet Challenge:

      I am Thankful for…

      A – Almighty God & His amazing grace that saved me countless times if it wasn’t for grace I would have been dead…literally.

      B – BBQ’s & brownies – who hates either? Not I said the cat!

      C- Celebrations – spending time with people I love always makes me happy.

      D- Daughters – I am blessed to have 2, who make me smile & still give me hugs & kisses.

      E -Express bus – It’s pricey but it’s such a delight to ride to work instead of taking the ferry and train.

      F- Friends – I only have a few, but my #1 is Andrea…girl you know I love you like cook food.

      G- Gabriel – my husband, my boo-boo, my honey buns, my onitemi, my ololufe.

      H- Home – Praise Jesus, I am not homeless, I have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in every night.

      I- Ice cream – more specifically chocolate, coffee or southern butter pecan.

      J- Jesus Christ – my Jehovah & all that’s associated with Him (salvation, the blood of Jesus, Holy Ghost fire…enough said)

      K- Klim milk – makes the best Tobago chocolate tea.

      L- Ludo & other childhood board games (snakes and ladders, checkers…ahhhh memories)

      M- My mom – I can’t even begin to describe why I’m thankful for you. Thank you for being the best mom.

      N- Newborns -they are so cuddly and cute (I believe I still have 2, inside joke).

      O- Oatmeal with raisins, granola & milk – my latest breakfast choice.

      P- Pepper pig…oink, oink, oink.

      Q- Quite a remarkable time I had doing this challenge.

      R- R.A.M. Family – my family has supported & prayed for me from the beginning, although they annoy me at times, I love my family.

      S- Summer – I love the warm weather (I was born on an island)

      T- Thanksgiving Day holiday – probably one of my top 3 holidays.

      U- Unmerited, unearned & undeserved favor in my life – shout out to Mrs. Woods, keep up the good work girl.

      V- Vicks vaporizer and inhaler….my family knows why I had to mention these.

      W- Water – having access to clean water is something many people do not have.

      X- Xtra days off from work – can’t beat working for a catholic organization.

      Y- Yam Porridge made by my mother-in-law – truly yummy (Oya mommy …come back to NY soon)

      Z- Ziploc bags – you can carry almost anything in a Ziploc bag and it’s good to go!

      03/01/2016 at 11:12 PM
  • Reply Sheila

    Third challenge I have joined in a week. I will be doing this challenge entirely In my personal time but my favorite letters right now are:
    L for lipstick, M for motherhood-I’m truly enjoying it, and R for relationship- with God, my family/friends. Oh and thanks for the shout out, I feel special, but you could have left the 15 yrs out it kind of dates us lmbo. Good read!

    02/24/2016 at 6:01 PM
    • Reply This Is Her Journey

      Not surprised about your choice for “L”….I thought you would have went R for Roxanne but can’t say I’m surprised by that either 🙂 Love you amiga! Can’t wait to see your list.

      02/26/2016 at 11:22 AM

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