"The gives and the Lord takes away; Blessed be the name of the Lord" Job 1:21

I heard this verse on my way to work this morning and it struck deep within and made me appreciate the "bad" morning I was having! I was listening to the radio as they talked about the tragic accident that happened to the Chapman family yesterday. My heart cries out to them, especially the teenage brother!

A tragedy like this makes you realize that even the best people have difficult times. I am so thankful for so many things and I owe it all to the Lord! He has continually blessed my life , even when I have not blessed his. I complain about my stressful mornings and not fitting into my clothes and having a stinky refrigerator, but none of this matters in the big scheme of things!

Our closest friends have heartaches that mine do not even compare.

Cheryl's step dad is in the hospital battling pancreatic cancer, while her family awaits test results, her husband Pete gets a call from his mother. His grandmother, at the wonderful age of 93, has passed away.

Kylee, my bestest, is going through one of the hardest times in her life. She is currently taking on the role of a single mother to two beautiful girls! She has to start her life over from ground zero. Kylee is one of the strongest women I know and I hope she continues to live her life praising the Lord! (Kylee also lost her Aunt Betsy to pancreatic cancer. My heart cries out to Cheryl and her Mother because I know what Kylee and her Mother went through losing a beautiful sister and aunt to this horrible cancer.)

There are so many of my closest friends and family who have struggles everyday, like determining the purpose of their relationships or a sick family member and I simply complain about being late for work! I have so many blessings in my life and they include the people I mentioned above, the beautiful family that I have and the wonderful roof over my head! Thank you Lord for giving me these great things.

No matter what He is in control. Blessed be the name of the Lord!