What Will I Wear Today?

My Word for 2023 is YES.

2 Corinthians 1:20   For all the promises of God in Him are YES and in Him Amen to the glory of God through us.

You’d think my word for 2023 was NO – because that is what came out frequently to my precious husband, suffering from advanced lung disease.

  • No, you can’t drive.
  • No, you can’t go without your walker.
  • No, you can’t go without your oxygen.
  • No, we can’t have company – I’m too tired.

After a Bible study lesson on “grace” my goal was to be a grace giver to my husband vs a care giver. I read the verse below every morning –

So, chosen by God for this new life of love,
dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:
compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Be even tempered,
content with second place,
quick to forgive an offense.
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
And regardless of what else you put on,
wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment.

The Message Colossians 3:12-14

These beautiful words were indeed my covering each morning, but my actions sometimes soiled the wardrobe God picked out for me. After several difficult days when John was very weak and required constant care, I muttered as I walked to the kitchen, “I can’t do this!”  In my spirit I heard, “YES, you can with my help! Dress in the wardrobe I picked out for you. And give me the glory.” 

Just two months later, as John breathed his last, I said, “No, Lord,” but God said.

 “YES, it’s his time to be free from pain, free from his walker, free from his oxygen and to experience my glory forever!”

Thank you, Lord, for your promise of a better YES –  to you be the glory. I choose to wear love!

YES, and amen.

12 responses to “What Will I Wear Today?”

  1. Cynthia Friel Avatar

    That was so beautiful and so inspiring, Pat, you are an amazing beautiful woman and mentor. How Blessed I am to know you! 😌

    1. Thanks Cynthia. You are so sweet and a blessing to me.

  2. Chalonda Mcdonald Avatar
    Chalonda Mcdonald

    Love this!

    1. Thanks sweetie.

  3. Beverly Chaussy Avatar
    Beverly Chaussy

    Beautiful. Thank you. A good lesson for all of us.

    1. Thanks for reading Beverly. God gives us what we need when we need it.

  4. Precious thank you. May God continue to bless you.

  5. So sensitive, loving and humble. Beautifully written. Thanks do much for sharing.💕

  6. Tem Hiesberger Avatar
    Tem Hiesberger

    Pat,
    You are a blessing to so many. Thank you for forwarding this to me. I wish we could see each other sometime on this side.

  7. Beautiful and a lovingly, honest reminder for us all as we interact with both loved ones and strangers! Thank you for sharing!!

  8. Beautifully said…, such a double edged sword for us…, grief on one side & gratitude on the other…
    So thankful we can stand on His promises even when we’re flat on our face…, thank you Pat, for sharing your sweet God honoring heart!!!

Leave a Reply

I’m Pat, mom to two, nana to three, great nana to one; and hopefully encourager to those who visit here. Join me as we discover how “much more valuable” we are when we follow and trust instead of lead and worry.
Recent Articles

Discover more from Pat Strickland

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading