Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. We enjoyed going to our son-in-law’s installation as the Pastor of St. Paul’s church in Hackensack. The bishop came and there was a yummy brunch afterwards and good to see old friends. 
Today I have been busy busy in the kitchen and also got to my exercise class. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
As Thanksgiving approaches, we might try something new this year and not only thank the Lord for our many blessings but to thank and pray for those who we are not grateful for….you know, the difficult people, the selfish ones, the users, complainers, and those that have hurt us. I was reading an article by Pastor Brad Russell who challenges us to be grateful for those we would not naturally want to invite to our Thanksgiving dinners. God loves them and sees their deepest needs and tells us how to treat them in Luke 6:27-28(ESV), “But I say to you who hear, ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” That seems like a tall order but we have a loving Heavenly Father who loves us when we are sinful and ungrateful and undeserving of His love and mercy. I will share some of Pastor Russell’s words:
“Thank God that these people are being used to make you more and more like Jesus. Difficult people are used by God to produce patience. Difficult people are used by God to take you to the end of your own strength; to take you to your need for supernatural love, patience, and forbearance. And, according to Colossians 3, the supernatural patience, love, and forbearance that comes from the Holy Spirit can and will produce peace, joy, and thankfulness. The more God uses people to produce patience, love, joy, and peace in you, the more grace you will experience as He makes you more and more like Jesus. Praise God that these difficult people are part of God’s plan to bring you peace and joy.
This Thanksgiving consider starting a new tradition. Bring the most difficult people in your life before the Father. You and your family will always have to deal with difficult people. Embrace the work of God being done in your own hearts through them. And then, by God’s love, mercy, and grace produced in you, find ways to embrace them in prayer and service. Those difficult people may just be the greatest hidden blessings of God in your life.”
Challenge for today: At this Thanksgiving time, thank the Lord for a person who God is using to make you more like Him.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy