Circles

As we began to pray over our Thanksgiving dinner

I peeked up and noticed the table we were gathered around.

A circle.

I peeked again and smiled at all the little hands holding each other.

A circle of hands.

As we had conversations, we were all able to see one another because we were all facing each other.

In a circle.

A place of gathering a place of coming together to unite.

Uniting in Thanks, Uniting in unity, Uniting as one family.

It's at this moment I am reminded once again, that God has brought me Full Circle.

This Thanksgiving may have been your first time celebrating.

This Thanksgiving may be a bitter time for you.

This Thanksgiving may be one of wishing you could be with your family, the one you left behind.

This Thanksgiving may be the first one you fully enjoyed away from the old thoughts, the old beliefs.

This Thanksgiving may be the one your hoping,... that next years Thanksgiving you'll be able to cope better than this years.

This Thanksgiving may be the one you feel regret, and question why did I leave?

This Thanksgiving may be pure joy for you!

This Thanksgiving may be the one you recognize and see that God has taken you Full Circle.

To many years of not having Thanksgiving.

To many years of not having family gatherings around a table.

I am there with you. I have been at, and have felt everyone of those emotions.

You are in the right place right now, don't doubt it for today or in the days to come.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT

God has surrounded me and given me a circle of friends and family larger than I could of ever imagined! He has provided me through this circle;  love, comfort, strength, encouragement, a place of belonging, direction, acceptance, and pure joy!

There is a place for you in this circle.

Then he (Jesus) looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."Mark 3:34-35 NIV

This Thanksgiving I was and am thankful for you.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Praying that you will recognize when God has brought you Full Circle.

Consuming Emotions

Are you lonely?
I am with you each and every day... Matthew 28:20 ISV

Are you afraid?
"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."  John 14:27 NLT

Are you anxious or worried?
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV

Are you angry, seeking revenge?
"I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD. 
Romans 12:19 NLT

Are you still being judged?
I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 18:30 NIV

Has your family failed you?
He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20 NASB

Are you feeling weak and defeated?
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14NIV

Our emotions and feellings are merely that.  They are neither right nor wrong.
However, how we act upon our feelings is where the trouble lies.

What is stealing your hope, your joy, your sleep, your life?
What is consuming you, controlling you?
Cast it ALL every bit of it on the Lord!

Be honest maybe for the first time in your life.  Tell him what trips you up every single time.
Tell him your worries, your struggles.
He's waiting............................................Just for you.