First and foremost I would to wish you a Happy New Year! I hope all the things you want for yourself this year comes true.

Now, I was sitting in church this Sunday when my pastor preached about Grace, Mercy and Favor. But he likened Favor to Faithfulness. As he dug into his sermon and began expounding on these words, their interceding points and it they tie into you being favored in your life, I began to take stock of my life and realize that I have been and am highly favored.

When I think about the situations I’ve put myself in because of stupid decisions, rushing to be with who I thought was best, or being young and dumb, I realize that it was not me who got me through and subsequently out of those situations, it was nothing but Gods’ favor. His mercy to pull me out of my own mess, his grace to not hold me in disdain for the foolish choices I made.

See when you have been in situations where you shouldn’t have gotten out alive. When you faced death in the face and lived to tell about with a sound frame of mind. When you can call your mama and just say hi or even to talk about anything at all you are favored. When you get to lay down in your own bed, under your own roof, with your own clothes, eating your own food and watching your own tv, you are favored.

I am often times conflicted about this because I’m human just like anyone else, and when I am in the midst of going through a trial and a challenge, I tend to sometimes forget that every issue I face is only building my story and making me a better person. I forget that all things will generally work for your good if you let it.

That may be explanation for the reason why I have always been so willing to share my life, the stories, the memories, the tragedies, the heartache, because I know that there is someone whose life will be saved, someone whose views will be re-imaged if only because they talked to someone who’s been in their shoes and is on the other side of the struggle.

I dare you to take some time and stop bitching and complaining, stop whining about what you don’t have, stop sweatin’ the things someone else has, and just think about how much you have and how fortunate you are; then I bet you, you will say Thank God, or whomever you pray to.