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There are a lot of bad things that have happened to people in the past and present, but we can't allow ourselves to dwell
on negative things, rather learn from each event and use that knowledge to live a better and healthier, wealthy and prosperous
life! Sometimes we need to remember where God has brought us from to where we're at now, so we can appreciate what we have!
There are a lot of people battling what I call the twins, despair and depression! I want you to know that you can overcome
both of those spirits of the enemy, our adversary the Devil. Bob Marley sang "Don't Worry, Be Happy." That needs
to be our focus on this Holiday Season, we need to concentrate on not allowing ourselves to worry, fret, and be anxious but
to give thanks and be grateful! So many times we're so busy looking at what we don't have instead of being thankful for the
things we do possess! The Bible tells us, "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
1 Chronicles 16:34 Can you imagine how God, our Creator and Heavenly Father must feel that His creation, His children are
so un-grateful that all we do is complain and we don't take time to say, "Lord, I thank you!"
A good way to remind yourself of why you should give thanks is to write down at least five things that you are grateful
to God, and why? Mine are (1) My Life, (2) Healthy Body, (3) Sound Mind, (4) My Home & Possessions, (5) Increase and
Favor. I am also grateful for my children, their children and great-grandchildren. God is good! He has allowed me to live
to though my four generations and now my three generations who are in my bloodline. When, I think on these things it makes
me happy, even when I can't see or be with those I love due to COVID19, I still have the wonderful opportunity to talk and
share with them via teleconferencing, video calls and mobile phone; and I love taking and sharing with them plenty of pictures
so that I have memories of the times we spend together and apart.
First and foremost, I am grateful for my life! I live a good life compared to some people my age. I am over sixty-five
years old, and I am glad to still be alive and in the land of the living! I had survived through gang violence in my youth,
car accidents where my vehicle was totaled, but my life was spared! I nearly drowned twice in my life, and even saw my life
flash before me, before being pulled up out of the water! I am a survivor of domestic violence, I use to pray that God would
allow me to live to see my children grown, and the Lord has granted me my request. When I think of all the bad things that
have happened to me and, I am yet living, I have a lot to be thankful for!
Second, I am grateful for a strong healthy body! I suffered with immense pain in my legs for a long time, from osteoarthritis
in my knee joints induced by cartilage thinning and displacement of the knee cap, l could barely walk. It had gotten so bad
that when I would go to the store, I had to use the battery drive carts to do my shopping throughout the store, because I
didn't have the strength to walk holding onto the shopping cart. I would have pains so sharp in my legs, I thought I was
having a stroke, but praise God I didn't, therapy, exercise and medication has helped me so that I am mobile without being
in constant pain. Now, I may have some occasional discomfort, but nothing compared to the pain I once had where I was on
800 milligrams of Ibuprofen a day. Thank God for my healing! I have had numerous afflictions, but the one that nearly took
my life was Type II Diabetes, I didn't know I had it and, therefore I didn't know what to do to bring it under control but
I have learned to educate myself so that I have the knowledge of whatever afflicts me and, I pray for myself and do whatever
is necessary to maintain a healthy body, including eating less sweets and salts, avoiding pork and no juice or soda pop unless
it's diet. I am a health advocate who not only promotes good health, but practices what I teach!
Third, I am grateful for a sound mind! I have known for years that Mental illness, Schizophrenia, Depression, Suicide,
Alzheimer, Dementia and, Forgetfulness has afflicted members of my family for generations. Yet, I wake up knowing who I am,
where I am and, I have a good memory! The Bible says, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 I give thanks unto God, that I'm not in a mental institution or under-going
psychic treatment and, that I am able to function normally.
Fourth, I am grateful for my home and material possessions! There are so many people who are homeless, no family or friends
to take them in, and have lost all of their worldly possessions. My home is full of things that I have purchased or that
I inherited from my ancestors that remind me how blessed I am! My home is comfortable flowing with positive energy that helps
me to relax and enjoy being there! What I have belongs to me and, is debt free! Hallelujah! I have lived with family and,
family has lived with me, but now I am an empty-nester and thank you Jesus, I enjoy having my privacy and I can come and go
as I please! I live in a peaceful environment and, I have everything that I need include beautiful landscaping in my front
yard, and handicap parking in the rear!
Finally, my fifth thing I am grateful for is increase and favor! God is always blessing me with these two things, and
I have learned that favor is better than money! I have had people do things for me that I probably wouldn't have done for
myself! People have been kind, compassionate and generous to me during my lifetime, especially on the Holidays when there
has been times I haven't been able to be with my family, which has been the case during the COVID19 PANDEMIC. I may be alone,
but I am never lonely!
The Bible says, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of
trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalms 50:14-15 The reason why many times, God doesn't bless
people is because they are ungrateful. You can change that! We are blessed to be a blessing, share whatever the good Lord
has blessed you with and, give to others especially those in need. Do it with a cheerful heart and of your own free will.
(Leviticus 22:29) And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.
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