Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Today I was pondering the topic “How Quickly We Forget!” I think that so many times life gets so busy that we can forget

1.) Our Priorities

2.) Our God

3.) How far we have already come.

Why is this important you may ask?  Well the truth is that if we continue to go through life on autopilot we may miss the entire point.  Thankfully God has a plan for each and every one of us. Though many don’t know or understand how that plan works or makes sense I believe it to be true.

The reality is that if we don’t take the time to ponder our priorities and write them down we may continue to go through the day never putting any attention to those priorities.  Then we will wake up one day and realize that we missed the opportunity to do what we wanted to do in life. For example, if you make a list of goals or perhaps new years resolutions at the beginning of the year.. how often is it that within two weeks we forget what they were, ignore them, or just determine that life is too busy for those goals now.  Is that really true? Or are we just using excuses that we are not making that goal a priority?  Personally I can tell you that I set a goal at the beginning of the year that I would lose weight.  Three months later I looked up at my goals and realized I did not lose weight but I actually gained a pound!  Uhh… how sad? But the reality is that it is all because I did not prioritize that goal and I missed my opportunity over the past 3 months to feel better and fit into my pants! hahaha! Thankfully I realize it today and it is not too late.  I can take steps starting today to make that a priority in my life…if I want to.  So the first step is to know your priorities…second step is to be honest with yourself if you really will make time and put forth the effort to achieve that goal or priority.

Secondly, I think we often forget to go through life with God.  We have all been through those points in our lives where we say… “Hi God, remember me?…I know it has been a long time and I am sorry that I only come to you when things are really, really bad…” Sound familiar? The funny thing is that God knows our hearts and he is not mad at us for only coming around when life is at an all time low. However  the lesson we need to learn is that we don’t have to wait until things get so bad we have no where else to turn to start praising and relating with God.  If we find a way to incorporate a relationship with God into our lives suddenly we will realize the power of listening to the guidance of the holy spirit.  Sometimes we miss that guidance because we at not listening.  Funny thing I realized the other day, I actually talk to my dogs more than I talk to God. I love my dogs as I am sure most of you do as well, but sometimes what I talk to them about should really be redirected to God.  The dogs can not solve my problems that is for sure!  Thankfully, they can love me through them though!

Lastly, taking time to reflect on how far you have come in life. No matter what age you are, reflecting on how far you have come will help you to realize that the future can hold so much growth and potential. I remember at one point in my life hating my job and wondering why I had to “wither my life away in a cubicle.” Now I look back and realize “Wow, I have come so far from those days. Thank God!” I do realize though, that without the preparation I received from behind those cubicle walls I would not have been prepared to take on the position I am fortunate enough to have today.  Everything we are going through in life is preparation for something else.  I heard that saying often growing up but did not realize it until I learned how to reflect on it.  Now I can see how the dots have connected.  Now I can understand the why.  Even if I went though things in my life just to be able to relate to someone else going through them …it all makes sense. Reflecting and being thankful for the journey you have had so far will help you to live a happier life EVERY DAY.

My wish for you today dear friends is that you realize the amazing potential for the life you still have out in front of you! I hope that today you can turn to God and just thank HIM for all he has given you and how far you have come. Believe that any trial you have faced or are facing is somehow for the greater good and your future is brighter because you took time today to thank God and believe in his journey and plan for your life.  May God continue to Bless You ALL!!

Remember Jesus loves you & so do we!

~ASV