One Day at a time means Thanksgiving comes before Christmas!!

Have you gone absolutely crazy yet?!?! I think I have!

Scripture says to worry not about tomorrow, for it will have worries of its own. We should take each day as it comes and enjoy what that day has to offer. So, why is it that Christmas is everywhere and we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving?!?! If we are to take one day at a time … shouldn’t we celebrate one holiday at a time!

Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks … of reflecting on what we have, where we are and those that are important in our lives. I believe it deserves our attention before we begin the mad rush to Christmas … which is a topic of another discussion in itself!

We have so much to be thankful for. But … you say, ‘Michele, you don’t know what I have on my plate.’ You are correct … I don’t know. But I do know that you have plenty to be thankful for. You have a Lord and Savior that loves you. He loves you so much that he suffered a painful death on the cross because He loves you and wanted to be sure that you have a home in Heaven.

I know families that have lost loved ones this year … have lost jobs … have lost their homes. My prayers go out to you every day. On this day … this Thanksgiving week … take a moment to think about those things that keep you going … those people in your life that make you smile. Even though there are a ton of things to do and a million things on your mind - s l o w d o w n !! Enjoy this time - enjoy this day – enjoy the folks in your life. Enjoy some turkey and a nap. Enjoy the game. But most importantly, enjoy time thanking God for all of the people, things and memories that you have to be thankful for!

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!!

Are you doing what God created you to do?

My dad always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be … do anything that I set my mind to. I tell Morgan the same thing. Recently I read something that made me rethink that. It suggested that it isn’t my mind that I need to set straight.

In school, I studied English. I took classes in journalism, communications and public speaking. I was thinking management … public speaking … leadership … money. Those of you that know me know – that’s not me. A five minute ‘speech’ in front of my friends at church … about something I am already passionate about … sends me into a panic for days! Can I do it? Yes. Can I do it fairly well? Yes … but is that what I’m made to do? I don’t think so!

Many of us are in roles – in our job, relationships, church, majors in college – because that’s where we ‘should’ be. That’s where the security or money is. Some join the military because the past three generations had. Some go into the ‘family business’ or become a doctor because they are expected to follow in their dad’s footsteps. Some of these folks are great at what they do – and some are very successful … but are they doing what they are made to do. Is this the plan that God has for them? Maybe … but maybe not.

So, what am I supposed to be doing? I haven’t the first clue!! I’ve realized that I’m more comfortable with a pen (or keyboard) than a microphone. I know that I’m more comfortable leading children than grown-ups. I also learned that as much as I want to be extroverted and outgoing … I’m really not. I would just love to be one of those motivational speakers that talk to everyone and make everything make sense. I’d love to be a Max Lucado and write lots of books and speak all over the country. (It was his book ‘Cure for the Common Life’ that put me on this thought). But I know me … and although it took me a long time to figure it out … and even longer to accept it – that’s not where I’m supposed to be. That isn’t the gift that God has given me.

Keep in mind that God has a plan for us. He knows where we are supposed to be. The longer we try to impose our own ideas on his plan – the more miserable we’ll be! Ask God where you’re supposed to be. Ask Him where you should be in your career … pastimes … activities … relationships. (He hasn’t answered me yet on that last one yet!) Ask God … don’t assume that you know what is best for you!

Ask yourself … Are you doing what God created you to do?