4:13

I still remember the day I received it…

A gift from a friend—a paperweight with this verse engraved on it: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I kept it on my desk and looked at it every day.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand its meaning. But in a quiet, steady way, the truth of that verse was beginning to reveal itself to me.

Years later, while working with a direct sales company, I received another gift—this time, a sterling silver bangle bracelet engraved with the same scripture.

I wore that bracelet every day, until I didn’t. I left it in my jewelry box, where it slowly became buried beneath other pieces and forgotten over time.

Then came January 2023.

My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver. He was given a month and a half to live.

Those days felt heavy and suffocating, especially without any plans in place and facing the reality of losing someone I was so close to.

One day, I opened my jewelry box and found that bracelet again—now tarnished and dim. I polished it until it shined like new, and I placed it back on my wrist.

This bracelet doesn’t just hug my wrist—it hugs my heart.

“It hugs my heart.”

My dad passed away a month and a half after his diagnosis. My mom passed away nine months ago. My sister passed away eleven years ago.

And this Easter Sunday was the first one without all three of them.

The absence felt loud. The silence even louder.

But through it all, I find myself clinging to Philippians 4:13 in a way I never have before. Not just as a verse I’ve known—but as a truth I now depend on.

I’ve come to understand something deeper about these words.

It’s easy to focus on the first part—“I can do all things.” But the true power, the true promise, is found in the second part—“through Christ who gives me strength.”

I can’t do this on my own.

But through Christ, I can.

He provides what I don’t have.
He carries what I can’t hold.
He strengthens me for each step, each day, each moment.

And maybe that’s why this verse has followed me through the years—from a simple paperweight on a desk, to a bracelet rediscovered in a season of grief.

It was never just a verse to remember—it was a promise I would one day need to live.

If you are walking through a season of loss, uncertainty, or quiet heaviness, I want you to know—you are not alone.

Stay a while.
Be refreshed.

And be reminded:

His strength is enough—for you, for today, and for whatever lies ahead.

That’s the place this journal was born from—a desire to hold onto His strength and to share that encouragement with others.

A fun fact: When I began thinking about what to name this space, I found myself sitting in a coffee shop drive-thru, waiting for my order. I happened to glance down at my Philippians 4:13 bracelet—and there it hit me: 4:13.

I started turning the idea over and over in my thoughts, and the more I did, the more excited I became. 4:13 had to be part of the name.

“The 4:13 Journal” came naturally after that. A journal, much like a diary, is a place to gather and reflect—on thoughts, emotions, ideas, dreams, quotes, and the moments that shape us. And that’s exactly what I hope this space will be.

And just when I thought it couldn’t be clearer, I reached for my phone to pay for my coffee—and saw the time displayed across the screen:

4:13.

A quiet confirmation that this was exactly where this blog was meant to begin. So, let’s do just that and begin…

Welcome to The 4:13 Journal! I’m so glad you are here!

If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to stay awhile—because there’s much more to come.

But for today, here’s a gentle reminder, Friend:

You don’t have to carry it all on your own.
You were never meant to.

Instead of trying to hold everything together in your own strength, invite Christ into your ‘things’—and trust His strength for you.

It often shows up in ways we don’t expect…
but it’s always enough.

Blessings,

Bonnie 🤍