Gratitude

The one thing I say each and every day is "thank you Lord for all you've done for me". I've learned that showing gratitude increases my blessings. Life is a gift and we all say thank you when we receive a gift so I have FAITH - For All I Thank Him. 

My son played a song for me the other day that I used to lead in the church choir and those words came to mind again today:

God has not promised me sunshine
That's not the way it's going to be
But a little rain mixed with God's sunshine
A little pain makes me appreciate the good times
Be grateful 

Gratitude can enrich your life with endless possibilities.

Family - Friend

Family is the foundation of our life. As kids we know and automatically trust our family. When we become adults we begin to see our family members true character.

All family members are not friends. Allow family involvement in your life according to the character of that person and not their family relationship. I have learned recently you can love your family member because they are family but not like them for their character. I want to be close to those who have shown themselves to be friends whether related or not.

It is what it is and that's the way it is for me.

Courage

I have recently learned a valuable lesson about courage. If someone commits a cruel act against a loved one and refuses to face that person to admit guilt that is a cowardly act. You may be afraid of what that person will say to you or how others will look at you but you must, in spite of those fears, have the courage to confront those fears. There can be no resolution or repentance with the absence of courage.

Courage is required to do what is right and if you lack that courage your character is greatly flawed. You risk your salvation and you will reap what you have sown.

Courage is an important virtue.