Good Morning Girls!  What I am about to share with you may shock you.....I STRUGGLE.  That's right.  My life isn't all roses.  My life isn't perfect.  My life doesn't always come easy.  I struggle.  I struggle with little things, and big things.  There are times when I want to have a glass of wine so I can just "chill out" and not think for a while.  There are times when I see a casino billboard, and for a second think "it would be kind of fun to go plop myself in front of a slot machine for some mindless activity....and maybe I could win some money".  There are times when I lay in bed thinking "what's the point", and would probably stay there if it weren't for my kids.  There are times when I want to go back to work so I can feel like I am "doing something" with my life.  There are times when I look in the mirror and think "seriously, this is what I've got to work with...that's just great".   Yep, I have all of those moments.  I have always had those moments.  However, I have not always reacted to those moments in the same way.  Ten years ago I would have had the glass (or bottle) of wine, driven to the casino, sought out some attention in order to feel attractive, and then lay in bed the following day, all day, hating myself for what I had done the night before.  I would then return to work and overachieve in order to compensate for the fact that I had just wasted 2 days of my life.  Now Girls, that life is a far greater struggle than any situation, circumstance, or disappointment that occurs in my life now.  The reaction to your struggles is what makes or breaks your Spirit.  Remember, I said I still have those same thoughts.  However, now I thank Jesus for keeping me out of the bar and the casino.  I thank the Lord for giving me an encouraging Word to get me out of bed.  I turn to the Lord and ask Him to show me something beautiful about myself when I feel like a dog.  I pray for more patience as I wait for the plans the Lord has for me.  I put my faith and trust in the One who has already delivered me from a life of death and cursing.  So Girls, being a Christian does not mean a life without struggles.  It does however mean a life of hope.  God is good.  God is faithful.  He loves us so much we cannot truly comprehend it.  Turn your struggles over to the living God, the only one who can truly save you!

1 Timothy 4:10 this is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers

Love you all-
Jen