We all have had the thought at one time or another,  Life is just not fair.  It may be something personal to us like being treated unfair at work, or a spouse letting you down, or a friend who turned against you, or even someone close to you getting bad news about their health.  There are also societal injustices like starving children in third world countries or sex trafficking of teenage girls..  The list could go on and on with ways life is not fair.  I believe it is safe to say that we have all experienced unfairness.

Think about it, we live in a world where people focuses on their selves and live with priorities that only focused on them and their family.  Even good people become unfair and don’t even realize it.  This has been an issue since the beginning of time.  Jesus, who was the only perfect man faced life not being fair.  He was wrongfully punished and murdered. If Jesus, the king of kings found life to be unfair, I wonder then how we can expect life to fair for us.

In reality we don’t deserve for life to be fair.  The more I think about it I find myself being thankful that it’s not.  I realize that sounds really strange but if life was fair and I got what I deserved I would have no hope of making heaven my home.  You see, there is one just Judge who has the ability to know what is fair and what is not.  At the end of our lives God, the just Judge, will judge us and no matter how good we think we are we will be found guilty.  Why?  Because the bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we have all sinned and fell short.  So in fairness we deserve death because Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternally life.  So if life were fair I would deserve death because I am a sinner.  Believing in Jesus’ unfair death, gives me an undeserved payment for my sins and allows me to make heaven my home.  John 3:16 shares that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but will have eternal life.  So, anyone who chooses to believe can also enjoy life being unfair….

What have you been waiting your whole life for? All of us are working towards or waiting on something. Maybe it’s the perfect man, a baby or even grand babies. Could it be it’s a certain job or status.? Or maybe it’s a dream vacation to somewhere you really want to visit.

Whatever it is you’re waiting for I’m sure when you think about it you can’t help but get excited or a least anxious wondering if it will ever happen.

My new favorite song talks about waiting our whole life for something. The song is called “Well Done’ by The Afters. This song really made me stop and think about what I’m waiting for in my life. My favorite part of the song says “I’m waiting my whole life for that day, I will live my life to hear you say well done, well done. My good and faithful one welcome to the place where you belong. Well done well done my beloved child you have run the race and now your home. Welcome to the place where you belong.” The song helped me remember that I am waiting and working toward the day I get to heaven and see God face to face. If you haven’t heard the song look it up on you tube. It’s a great song and I hope it inspires you to wait your whole life to hear “Well Done” too!

There is a popular saying I have seen on several church marquees. “No God No Peace, Know God Know Peace”. The last few months I have been facilitating a young adult bible study. One topic that seems to come up a lot is knowing God and having a relationship with Him.

When I talk about having a relationship with God you may be thinking these questions. Can you really have a relationship with someone you can’t see or touch? Can I really get to know God on a personal level? Well I am happy to share that yes you can have a relationship with God even though you can’t physically see him. And yes, you can know him on a personal level. In fact, God wants you to know Him and have a relationship with Him. He already knows us and despite all our faults and shortcomings still loves us and desires a relationship.

I think it is so hard for us to understand the concept of relationships because we as humans do not know how to have true relationships. We betray each other, fail each other, deceive each other and end up hurt and disappointed. Many times it is not intentional that we act this way. We just don’t know how to treat, love and forgive each other. Thankfully God does and wants a relationship with us. Contrary to the worlds version of relationships, God’s relationship is perfect!

So, how do you have a relationship with almighty God? As with any relationship you start with getting to know them. To truly know God, you have to know His character and understand who He is. The Bible shares scripture after scripture of God revealing Himself to us. His character is revealed time and time again as we see His love, mercy and judgment toward His people in the Old Testament. As we study the life of Jesus, God’s son, we can learn even more about God. Reading the Bible is a great way for us to know who God is.

Hanging out with God’s friends is another great way to get to know him. Being around other believers creates opportunities to have conversations about God and hear what God has shown them. But, be careful not to solely rely on their relationship with God. It’s important you discover God personally and understand that your relationship will be unique to you and Him. Use these friendships to guide you to where to find God in His word and build your faith. We believers don’t have all the answers about God and as humans can be known to gossip about our friends so be cautious and make sure what you learn of Him through His friends lines up with His word.

Another way we develop a relationship with God is to spend time talking to Him. He promises to hear the prayer of His children. So if we are saved, our prayers are being heard by the God of the Universe as a dear Father listening to the words of His child. Even when it feels you aren’t being heard, God is listening. He’s never too busy for us.

Additionally, make time for God. Spend time meditating and seeking Him. Some of my closest moments with God have been when I am alone and quiet before him. Being still can be a challenge in this very busy world. But, these times are when we will feel His spirit most. It can manifest in many ways. I have felt it in a soft breeze blowing leaves, the sound of birds chirping, and in the sound of a gentle creek flowing. Most of the time God is waiting for us to stop and look for Him. He doesn’t want to force himself on us. He’s not that annoying friend who demands our attention. He’s waiting on us to call Him.

The more time we spend studying about God, talking about who God is, praying to Him and spending alone time with Him the more we will “Know God”. The more we know God the more we find peace. We discover our Best Friend, God, loves us and wants the best for us. He doesn’t promise us a life of ease or fame and fortune but he does promise us peace. He tells us we can cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us in Philippians 4:7 we can have peace that passeth all understanding. So despite what we are going through we can “Know Peace” because we “Know God” and have a relationship with Him.

I love my new coffee cup! As we get closer to the Christmas Holiday it’s a challenge not to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. As I remind myself with my morning coffee to make time for His presence I challenge you to remember what the real Christmas meaning is. God Bless!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I think all the great food helps. But the main reason is because it makes me pause out of my busy life and focus on how blessed I am and how much I have to be grateful for.

Many times I get so busy I rush through each day forgetting to appreciate all the blessings in my life.

I am fortunate to live in a great country where men and women voluntarily sacrifice their time and lives protecting it. They give up their own luxuries and holiday to serve and protect.

I am thankful for a wonderful family. For wonderful God fearing parents who taught me about life and are always there when I need them. I am so blessed with an amazing husband. He has stood by my side for 30 years, all the while encouraging and supporting me no matter how crazy of an adventure I get us in. I am very blessed with three amazing children. I am so proud of the kind of people they are. Each of them have chosen different career paths but each one of them contribute to the good of others with what they do. I am very proud they are so willing to give their lives to protecting, teaching, and meeting needs of others. And I’m thankful for two great son-in laws that have become part of our family. I am thankful to be Grammie to two sweet grandsons. They bring so much joy into our lives. They have already shown how important prayer is. I truly believe they are here today because of God’s great intervention. Every time I see them I remember the miracle that they truly are. The love they show in their sweet smiles make my heart swell with joy.

I could go on and on about all the earthly things I am thankful for including my job, our ranch, and friends. But the thing I am most thankful for is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for his unconditional love. For his ultimate sacrifice of giving up his life for mine. I am thankful he has adopted me into his family. And that when I fail, as I do too often, for his forgiveness and his mercy not rejection and ridicule. I’m glad he doesn’t give me what I deserve but extends grace to me instead. He is there for me and available all the time, day and night. He never gets too busy for me no matter how many times I have gotten too busy for him. I am blessed to be a child of the King.

I hope today you too will take time to pause and remember all the good in your life. If it’s hard to find good I encourage to seek out Jesus. His love is all you need to be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!