Thankful

Well friends, this month completes one year that I have been writing my blog!

I would like to start out with a BIG THANK YOU! Thank you to all who encouraged me to go for it, told me that I can do it and especially to those who read my blog every month.  

Thankful is the word that comes to mind — thankful for the thoughts that God continues to give me to share with you; thankful for the many seasons He has brought me through on my journey; thankful for my friends and family; thankful for special memories with those who are no longer with us.

If we take time to think, we can each make a list of things we are thankful for. However, the enemy always wants us to focus on negative, hard and sad times.

Scripture tells us there will be hard and pressing times in our walk with God.

Acts 14:22 AMP
...strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 

This should be of no surprise, but we must stay focused on the end result so that we may finish our race. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. 

Be encouraged, be hopeful, and mostly, be thankful.