I have been reflecting back on this year as we draw near to Thanksgiving, and I realize that I truly have a lot to be thankful for.

This year has been a year of character building for me. I left my full time job to devote myself to Real Estate completely, and I set out, goals in hand, ready to truly believe God for my income.

I wasn't prepared for the changes that God would bring about this year, as I left behind a 21 year career, and a six figure income, but I trudged ahead, determined to be obedient to the call on my life, and to the voice of instruction gently leading me forward, and urging me to leave the former things behind.

But God, whose thoughts are not my thoughts, and whose ways are not my ways, had a year planned for me that was entirely different than I had pictured.

This has been a year in which we have been gently reminded about how important it is to be good stewards of our money, and while we have struggled at times, I have to say that God has been very good to my husband and I. He has always made sure that we have had more than enough, and while it has been significantly less than we have been accustomed to in the past, somehow, knowing that God has seen to it that we have what we need, when we need it, has made all of the blessings that we do receive so very sweet.

I am grateful for a God that supplies all of my needs, according to his riches and glory.

It has been a year that showed me that I had spent very little time with my children. I had devoted myself entirely to my career, and I have to admit, it has been very sobering realizing that I missed out on so many of the little things that make up raising children. In fact, it hasn't been just a shifting of my priorities; it was an adjustment period for my kids as well.

I am grateful to God that after working so hard to reconnect with my children, we are so much closer than we have been in many years. I am also very grateful for the fact that my children have responded to having me there for them, even telling me at different times that they are glad that even though we don't have as much money as we used to, they are happy that they get to spend more time with me.

Finally, I am so grateful for a wonderful, supportive and loving husband.  This has been the best year I've had in so many ways; My husband has been clean and sober for just under two years now, and has been a great source of strength for me. He has pointed me to God to pray when I've been worried, and has prayed and interceded for my success. He has been a wonderful motivator, and given me many pep talks when ever I have been down. God truly blessed me with a mighty man of God, and I am ever so grateful that he gave me the strength and endurance to wait on Him while he changed my husbands' heart, and won him over.

Thanks for letting me share with you. May God Bless Your Families at Thanksgiving and always, pressed down, shaken together and running over with His Grace!