“Because the only thing better than God standing next to you is God dwelling within you.”

Usually, I add a weekly quote that strikes me at the end, but today these words touched my heart enough that they needed to go first.  The article behind the quote was in relation to always being aware and in thankfulness for what God gives us throughout our lives, even when we cannot see or have lost the strength to give Him thanks.  I have failed in that regard so many times, forgetting how blessed I am in more ways than I can count.  Even those times that were the most difficult, when I pleaded with Him to change my situation, or I was frightened He might be deaf to my tears, I look before me now and regret that my faith wasn’t stronger.  I wish I could have seen, (and will remember in times to come) in the midst of all my storms, that God never let go of me, not even for a second and dwells within me.  In fact, He has given me everything that He knew I needed and everything I could have hoped for and beyond.

When we each look back, and do an account as to where we are on our journey and the person we’ve become, it’s uplifting to believe that God had His hand in everything.  Having faith, following Christ, doesn’t mean we will not experience pain, sorrow and life’s many hardships.  Believing means we CAN get through anything, knowing He will never leave us.

I usually include a personal story in my weekly letter, but to highlight one particular story of a time that my faith has sustained me, encouraged me to stay the course with Jesus, would take so many written pages.  But know that, from experience, God’s word gives you and me strength to endure and wake up tomorrow to the most amazing sunrise.  Life is so much better when we allow our souls to be filled with gratefulness for all that the Lord has done in our lives.  Yes, even when we can’t see.

I pray today that God will breathe His holy spirit into you, allowing you to see all the glory and riches He has graced you with throughout your life.  Let us thank God always for giving us everything we need.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11