Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

I recently went on a Ladies' retreat with my West Cab ladies to the beautiful mountains of Montreat, NC. The weekend was perfect in so many ways. We laughed like we did not have a care in the world. We ate too many sweets and played fun crazy games. We met new friends and renewed old friendships. The time with my church girls has been a highlight of my ministry.

We also dug deep into the message of Psalm 34. We refocused our eyes on the Lord and His goodness. This passage challenges all to Magnify the Lord. For me, as I take my eyes off myself and look to Him, my peace is found. Why? This life can be challenging, but we can choose to trust Him and worship Him anyway.

Why turn your back on the Lord when you need Him most? Why would I try to do this life without my Jesus? As I focus on His goodness, His Lordship, and His love, I can't help but worship Him even on my hard days. This life may throw fearful or difficult circumstances at you, and life may change unexpectedly, but our Lord never changes. His love and goodness give me the confidence I need to face each day. When I choose to praise Him anyway, it changes me.

Psalm 34:1-3 reads, "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

No matter what I am facing, and when it is hard to find the good in my circumstances, I can always boast in the Person of God, for He is good. He never changes. He is always holy, pure, and fighting for me.

No matter what I am facing, I can boast in the Power of God because He frees me from fear and anxiety. Even when my circumstances do not change, and I must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God can give me the freedom and faith we need to take another step. David voiced this thought as well. Psalm 34: 4-5 reads, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."

I can remember my Past Experiences with the Lord, for He never fails. I can park my mind on His protection, for He has recused me again and again. "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." Psalm 34:6 (ESV)

I will also remember the Protection of my God. I honestly believe that my Jesus has the power to rescue me here while on this earth. We see His rescue through-out Scripture. Psalm 34:7 reads, "The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them." Sweet Friend, my Jesus is a God of protection for His people. He rescued David, and He can do the same for you and me. If not here, then we know how the story ends. His ultimate rescue will be in a place called heaven.

Perhaps, your Thanksgiving looked a little different than planned. I get it! Mine started with a text from a family member who tested positive for Covid. Bummer! Plans have unexpectedly changed this Thanksgiving season for my family. However, God is good. He is with my family. He gives peace and grace in life's difficult situations. Therefore, I am choosing to magnify the Lord. I am going to remember the goodness of my Jesus! I will remember the Person of my God. I am parking my thoughts on the power of my God. I am praising Him for my past experiences with my Jesus. I will trust His protection in my family's life.

I invite you to do the same this Thanksgiving weekend. Let us magnify Him together! Join the movement!

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!