November 2018 Blog #4
Welcome back,
It’s fall and the holidays are right around the corner. I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. As we prepare for family events and holiday programs, let’s take a moment and remind ourselves of what is most important. This time of year should be a time that you and I try to enjoy every minute we can with family and friends. For many people, this time of year can bring sadness and loneliness. Some of us may experience this due to having lost a loved one; while others may just be separated from family due to distance and not being able to travel back home for the holidays. God doesn’t want us to be depressed or sad; God wants us to enjoy life. Even during times of sadness, we can have the joy of the Lord in our hearts and lives. As we enter in to this holiday season, we should all remind ourselves of how blessed we are and take a moment to remember all the good times that we’ve had over the years. Everyone has memories and hopefully they are happy times. Cherish all those memories. Do all you can to embrace the holiday season with love and share that love with others that you come in contact with. As the saying goes, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Christ wants us to show love to others throughout the entire year, but I believe it is especially important to show that love during the holiday season. Many people are hurting so much right now and are struggling a lot during this time of year. It’s up to you and I, as individuals, to decide just how to make a difference in someone’s life. We may choose to simply share a kind word, a smile, or even bless them with a gift to unwrap. Whatever the decision, we should always be genuine and give from a heart full of love. As I think about Thanksgiving, I am reminded of just how blessed we are as Americans. We have a lot to be thankful for. Our freedom came with great sacrifice from of our soldiers as well as their families. If you or your family members have ever served in the military for this country, I want to personally say “THANK YOU” so much for your service. God has truly blessed this nation, and we should remind ourselves daily of that and not take anything for granted. I believe having a thankful heart along with love, peace, joy, and a sound mind are most important to have in one’s life.
**NIV Psalms 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through hall generations.
As you and I prepare for this year’s busy holiday season, let us all just take a moment to slow down, breath, and try to relax. (pause to do this) … now ..Don’t you feel better? Now ask yourself a couple questions. What am I most thankful for this year? and 2. What can I do different this year in order to bless someone? It is always good for us to shift our focus from our own issues and focusing on the needs of others for a while. No matter what our current situation, there is always someone that is going through a more difficult circumstance. I believe this is key to us having a happier life and holiday. In a world of so much negativity, I pray that we will all strive to staying more positive even during the stress holidays can bring. Life can be hard, but God is good. If you are going through a hard time just know that you are not alone. God is always there. If you have a special prayer request or need, please reach out to our link ACOG church.**** As I get ready to leave you for now, I just want to say that I am most thankful for time I have with family and friends and this includes all of you for joining in this blog each month. I am thankful to God for all that I have been blessed with in my life over the years including God’s love, protection, and peace. **You see God loved us so much that he gave His Son Jesus Christ, and that Jesus then chose to die on the cross for our sins to overcome death that we might have eternal life. Now that is something we should all be thankful for!!
May you have a Blessed Thanksgiving full of love with family and friends.
Until next time,
Dana