As the 2015 Christmas Season has passed and the New Year is upon us, I sit her thinking how thankful I am that God has a plan for each one of us and even when our lives seem chaotic and out of control, we must remember to not sit in the rocking chair called worry or let the enemy entrap us in fear, but trust in  Jesus.  

I am ever thankful that God gave us His son Jesus to die for our sins, once and for all.  Although there are many people that either reject the idea of God sending His son, Jesus to be born a man and live on earth and die for our sins or reject the idea that when Jesus died for us on the cross, he died for all of us and all of our sins, so we could live with Him eternally.  

There are people that I love, that are near and dear to my heart, that are actually a piece of me, that refuse to talk about Jesus or accept that He IS and that He is the only way to the Father, but I press on, knowing that the best I can do is to continue to model my life is such a way, that when people that don’t know Jesus, that don’t have a personal relationship with him – that hopefully by seeing me and knowing me, they will get to see Jesus.

The Lord had placed a desire on my heart for many years to locate an old friend, who was like my other half. We grew up together, went to school together and then as we graduated, through circumstances beyond our control, we lost contact with one another, but I often wondered about my friend and where she was and how she was.  I am very blessed to have located her and recently renewed our lost years apart. The greatest blessing of having true friends in your life is that no matter how much time you spend apart from one another, and how many things have happened in your lives, you can pick up the conversation with ease, share things you might not share with someone you just met and know without a doubt that you are blessed.  

1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Trying to catch up with one another after 31 years apart, to most, would seem utterly impossible; but not for us.  I am so thankful that my friend is back in my life and not just my memories.

God always has a plan that is better than ours. We may not understand why we going through difficulties such as missing a dear friend, but when HIS timing is right, it all works out.  So, today I am thankful for the blessing  of renewed friendship that I thought was lost.

No matter what storm or struggle you are going through right now, know that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is with you. He will go to battle for you. He is my strength and my protector, my father and friend.  I

And know this, no matter what kind of mess you think your life is, or how broken you are, HE LOVES YOU!

May you have peace in your hearts and joy in your souls! Blessings for 2016 to be your year!