Faith along the way

I hope you had a blessed Christmas, full of those people and things you love, precious memories of loved ones who couldn’t be with you, joy, laughter, family traditions, even a special gift or two. Above all, I pray you have the most precious gift, the gift of salvation from our Lord Jesus. He truly is the reason we celebrate the season. I am so thankful for that precious gift from God.

Thinking about gifts reminds me of so many blessings God has given me: my husband, three absolutely adorable and equally frustrating dogs that we adore, family, friends, an amazing church family, a hope for tomorrow, an eternal home, help and strength to get through difficult times…. I truly could go on and on. There’s an old hymn we sing from time to time entitled “Count Your Blessings” and it tells us to name them one by one. I think it is a great idea to think about those blessings He gives us more often than we do. I think that may a good idea for the upcoming new year.

Please don’t get the idea that I think my life is perfect. It is far from that, let me tell you. Life is complicated, times get tough, things break down, bills pop up, illnesses occur, things get busy, I miss my family that have gone on to be with the Lord, the house is not always clean, and the laundry is never, ever, finished! You get my point. However, I can always find something to be thankful for. Always.

As we move past Christmas 2023, move toward a new year, I pray you are reminded of blessings and gifts along the way. I pray the God of all comfort and strength will guide and comfort you as you go through each day, every situation and circumstance that comes along. I pray you find an excitement in reading His Word, a peace that comes from spending time with Him, a true joy that can only come from a personal relationship with the one true God.

As always…blessings to you,

Jackie

*”Count Your Blessings”, Johnson Oatman, Jr.