...this is absolutely my favorite time of year....Perhaps Im just a sucker for the cool weather or Cozy fleece blankets. Steaming apple cider or Chocolate. Pumkin, Cinnamon or pine candles. Rich colors. Turning leaves. Living room fires. Family gatherings. Great food. Football. Pines decorated with lights and ornaments. Sugar Cookies. Christmas music. (some of the most beautiful songs ever written) ...thinking back to Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Cool, crisp air. A sense of common joy...

..and when I think about all of this, I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I know not everyone alive is blessed with a loving family, or the comfort of a good, strong house made for shelter from the cold, or money to buy good food- or any at all. Some people cant see the changing leaves, or hear the Christmas music...

But the fact that it exists tells me whoever created us wants us to understand that He is good. To me, I feel like He wants us to see Him from every circumstance, wants us to feel Him in every joy or sadness, to hear Him in every lifes song. And to know that His goodness and righteousness is the ultimate, the survivor, the victorious. It is something we can have and experiance, no matter where we are. I believe for every heartache, there is a lesson. And for every joy, there is encouragement..and hope.

I pray everyone would have truly blessed holidays, and that joy would fill your hearts, no matter where you are or what you're going through. Our God is an awesome God!