Blessing

This weekend (April 2nd) we had our annual LADIES SPECTACULAR!!! Most of the time it is a fun and tiring experience that I just can't wait for it to be over! Well this year was different. Bro. Randy and his wife Mrs. Janelle Dignan came and spoke at it. Mrs. Janelle grew up at my church, so I know her and her husband pretty well. They have always been an encouragement to me, but this week they were a special blessing.
Our theme for the spectacular was "Island of Praise".  This year we didn't split up into session like usual. Mrs. Janelle spoke in the first session on planting your seeds on the island. She used the story of Joseph as an example. Joseph was given a series of trying times in his life. His brothers sold him to slavery, he was falsely accused of doing something and then sent to prison for it, but he eventually came ruler of Egypt. Joseph was given "seeds" in his life. He choose to plant them on the island (or God) and he reaped many blessings.
She used examples of planting your seed in Satan's Garden (I don't remember the actual name of it), and what you would sow from that garden. Bitterness, anger, hatred, ect. Bitterness spoke to me. Man can I hold a grudge! Not something I am proud of. In fact, I hate that quality in me! I could be experiencing such a happy life if I could just learn to let go! It is something I am working on with God's help.

Bro. Randy preached the 2nd session. He preached on "Staying on the Island of Praise". This spoke to me as well! I need to be more thankful and praising. Women have such power that we tend to harness in the wrong direction. We can make or break a man. I decided that day that I wanted to be known for making men, not breaking them and making them wimps and sissies! I need to learn to praise them. I need to learn to praise others. I tend to be a positive person, but there is always room for improvement.

This moring (April 3rd) Bro. Randy preached in church. He preached on "staying awake". The Lord is going to return and it very well could be tomorrow. I need to stay awake and alert and be ready for the Lord. I don't want to be like the disciples who didn't wake up when Jesus told them to get up, but got up when the soldiers came. I wanna be awake and ready before Satan shows up. I wanna be the one that Satan says every morning, "Oh No! She's awake!!" But I need to keep in the Word and under good preaching to do that.

Then Bro. Randy preached again tonight. He preached on just being thankful. He gave us 4 things to be thankful for. (1.) My salvation. God didn't have to save me from Hell. I don't deserve to be saved from Hell. But He did because He loves me sooo much! (2.) Soldiers and Servants of Christ. I need to be thankful for my Pastor and other men of God who are trying to preach God's Word. It is tough! Sooo many people attack it every day! And other servants of the Lord who will work and work and work and no one will every know it. (Except God) (3) Other Saints. My church is my family. There might not be anything stronger than your church family. They are there for you whenever! There to pray for you and comfort you and just encourage you! I don't remember the 4th thing I'm afraid. But it was sooo good!
Bro. Randy had me crying twice this weekend. I hate crying! But it was good! I needed it! I hope the Lord blesses him and his family! I am so thankful for them!

I wanna encourage anyone reading this to every day write 10 things they are thankful for. I promise you. You may have 500 reasons not to get up and make it a great day, but you have 500 reasons to get up and make it a great day!