My son is counting down the days until Christmas. I am sure most of you have children and this time of year they get really excited about the holidays, especially Christmas. When I got laid off twice, I was devastated not only because my financial situation was a mess, I thought a lot about how this was also affecting my son. You see when we go through job termination or job layoff or whatever that affects our income we forget that our children suffer as much as we do. Losing my financial stability made it impossible to continue to live the way my son was us to. We had to move!!!! (We eventually got evicted) My son was not to happy about that because he was use to his nice room and I was also use to having my own bathroom. But what God showed me was that it wasn't the material things in life, it was the fact that we had each other and we both could weather any storm. I don't want to try and keep up with the Joneses this Christmas. I am just blessed for the small things . I am blessed to see another year!!!! I thank God, for being able to wake up in the morning and have gas to put in my car. I thank God, for giving me strength to go through so many job layoffs. To be able to face my sister and learn to forgive after she and my ex-fiancé started a relationship. If I had not gone through what I had gone through, I would not be able to share my story. I wondered sometimes when I had hit rock bottom and could not sink any lower than I had already sunk, I wondered did God even care. Did God care for me when I didn't even care for myself. John 16:33 : I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Life almost broke me but I did not let it because I had a child to raise. When I got that job offer and started working their was nothing I could not do. Its amazing how just getting back into the work force somehow makes you feel good about yourself. Changing your attitude and being humble are the keys to moving forward against anything that life throws at you. I got off the couch and started back working out and eating healthy. NO MORE SORRY!!!!! Not always do I feel good. Not always do I want to get down on my knees and pray. Their are times when I wake up and just want to stay in bed for forever. But my son has the most beautiful smile and his laughter fills the apartment with joy!!!! The true meaning of Christmas is the love and the motivation that we all have in our hearts to be good workers, to be good parents to be good lovers. Don't let anything destroy the spirit of Christmas that is deep within your heart. If you didn't get that job, it was never meant for you. God knows our hearts. Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I AM STILLL STANDING!!!!