Don't Wait...

Greetings!

I am so amazed that Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday. I cannot believe how fast time has gone. I know that each day has the same amount of time, but it seems like we just celebrated the New Year, and it is already here again. In my last post, I talked about how tired I am, so I am really looking forward to having a long weekend...

My family celebrates Thanksgiving with our individual families, and then we get our whole family together for Christmas. That may not work for everyone, but that works for us. We sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves to do what everybody else is doing. We want to have the big turkey, with family coming in from out of town, and all the children and grandchildren gathering together at big mama’s house, but it is not like that for everyone. Some of us are dealing with the pain of grief or broken relationships or lost jobs…doing a great big Thanksgiving celebration is not something we are looking forward to, and you know what….it is OK. I have learned that what people think is their business. We cannot live our lives for other people. Life is hectic enough without trying to make someone else happy.

This year, my prayer is that if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior…that you do that today. He is our source for everything. Do not put it off thinking that you have plenty of time. Time is not promised to anyone. Only God knows how much time we have, and it is in our best interest not to wait. Focus on living the best life you can. Treat everybody right, love hard, give freely, and speak life over your life, and the lives of those around you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time…

Be blessed

I know He's Blessing Me

Greetings!

Lately, I have been running on fumes. It is crazy busy at work, and not only are we working 10-12 hour days, we have a blackout period for the four months preceding Christmas—so, no time off. I am so physically tired that I can’t tell if I am sick, tired or sick and tired. I keep thinking that I must be out of my mind to keep this job, but I am determined to see it through. I know that there is always a lesson in everything. God is in this, and I know He is trying to teach me something…I just have to figure out what it is.

I know…it sounds crazy, but I know He put me in this job and I know when the time is right He will move me. God always has a purpose in everything He does. I am a firm believer that every situation either grows you in an area or shows you who you are. This one, I think is doing both. I have learned so much about myself in this job. I have learned to be more tolerant of people, because I don’t know what they may be going through. I have also learned that I don’t have to do everything perfect. I will make mistakes…sometimes-big ones, and it’s ok. The world didn’t stop, and I didn’t fall into some big abyss.

I also know without a doubt that God loves me, and He would never allow me to be in a situation that is not good for me in some way. So, I am trusting in and leaning on Him. God has given us so much, and I know it is not over until He says it’s over. Our God is in the blessing business, and I know He’s not through blessing me.

Until next time…

Be blessed

The Chosen

Greetings!

Yesterday, I attended a conference, and the theme of the conference was, “God’s Chosen People.” The more I thought about the theme, the more it got into my spirit. We are the chosen. I don’t take that lightly. God has us in the palm of His hand, and nothing can come between us, and the love He has for us. His love conquers all of our doubts, all of our fears, and especially all of our enemies. We are victorious through Christ.

This conference really blessed me, because it came at a time when I needed some encouragement. My ministry is encouraging others. But, this time… I needed to be reminded that if God be for me, no one can stand against me. I needed to remember that the word says that, we are more than conquerors. I needed to hear that in this world, we are going to have troubles, but God has overcome the world. Our God has given us the power and authority to speak life into our own lives. It is good to encourage others, but every now and then, we need to encourage ourselves.

I left that conference motivated to go a little farther…to hold on a little longer. I know God’s plan for my life is in full effect. I may not recognize all of the parts, but I know without a doubt that He is there. That His plan is the plan I want to follow.

Many times, we won’t understand what God is doing, but we can trust that He is working it all out for our good. Don’t try to figure it out. We can rest knowing that God stands with us. We can call on Him, and know with confidence that He hears…and He is there.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Time to Fall Back

Greetings!

I realized this morning that it has been a whole month since I last posted. That is crazy to me! It does not seem possible that time has moved so quickly, and I still feel like I haven't gotten anything accomplished. 

Two things happen in the fall. One is…Thanksgiving. When I was young, this time of year was full of activity and excitement in our home. My mother would have us children cleaning everything in the world that could be cleaned. We had to dust what it seemed like...a thousand knickknacks, polish silverware, and iron tablecloths. All in preparation of what would be the biggest, and “bestest” meal of the year. This was the one holiday you could eat all you want, and nobody cared.

My mother has been gone for many years now, but this time of year still makes me think about her. I realize now that it wasn’t the meal that made me so excited about Thanksgiving….although that was a big plus…it was her. She loved having all of her children around. She would cook so much food that it wasn’t possible to eat it all. For years after she died, we tried to continue doing it, but it just wasn’t the same.

The other thing that happens around this time of year is that time “falls back” one hour, and we get to sleep an extra hour longer. That one day is preparation for what is to come. And, although, I don’t exactly love shoveling snow, I know it is all a part of the order God has put into place. His plan may not always look like the plan we have in mind, but it is always perfect. He supplies our every need. Not sometimes, but all the time. No matter how fast time seems to be moving, or how much we may not be able to get done…we can “fall back” on Him, and not only will He be there…He will also give us rest.

Until next time…

Be blessed