Today is Thanksgiving, there is a lot to be thankful for. Here’s my thoughts for the day:

I have been involved with my bible study this past quarter at church and it is on the parables of Jesus. We are coming to the end of our study before the holidays hit and todays study was on the coming of Christ and the tribulation for those who are still on earth. Reading these warnings from Christ are a deep challenge for me as I do not want to be present on earth when the tribulation hits, but also don’t want my kids or their kids here either. When you think about the depths of life and the purpose of our creation there is no avoiding what’s to come, and it makes it challenging to think of bringing more kids into this world, yet we all have such instinct for growing our families.

When I read about what’s to occur during the tribulation it does put some fear in me. But when I realize Christ has also told us beforehand what to watch for is beyond my imagination. When you think about that, how do you not believe there is a Christ who saved us when he also forewarns us and tells us what to do when these things occur?

This morning I was reading about Israel and the temple ruble that still lays on the ground today; some two thousand years later and this temple still has not been rebuilt. What a powerful thought; the temple crumbled to the ground without one stone laying upon another when Christ rose from the dead and will not be rebuilt until the tribulation begins and Christ’s return awaits. There will be an antichrist who claims to be Jesus and have false prophets that show signs and wonders to deceive. He will also take residence in the temple of Jerusalem, Christ’s holy place. Christ tells us to take heed as he has told us these things beforehand to forewarn what is to come.

Christ tells us not to return home when these things take place, to flee and flee without taking the time to grab belongings and woe to the pregnant women and nursing mothers as this time will be very hard on them. Head to the mountain top and flee immediately; this time will be a time of complete urgency (Mark 13:14-23). The tribulation will last for 7 years, midway through the antichrist will come forth. Christ has promised to shorten the days for his chosen people to help sustain through this period of horror. Don’t take life lightly, there is a real aspect here that needs to be addressed. Society is very quick and strategic on masking what life is truly about.

Let me ask you, when you hear about the end times and Christ’s return, whether you are a believer or Christ of not, how do these things make you feel? What happens to your stomach when you hear about the pain and tragedy that will take place? Do you overlook these historic facts as well as biblical facts? Do you take heed and want to prepare your mind and soul for the truth of life and why we were created? Or do you feel convicted but don’t want to face the reality in hopes you aren’t alive for this? The last thing you should do is find a rabbit hole to hide in, instead, you should do quite the opposite, hunt and search for the truth and hold it tightly.

Christ’s return is no joke and unfortunately since the fall in the garden of Eden, we live in sin and will continue to live in sin until Christ comes home for us. When I step back and look at the bigger picture of life, the little things seem to dissipate and have no true value or concern amongst them. I can choose to worry about the day and things to take place, or I can hold tightly that I am a mother, wife, and follower of Christ and when I die only my soul will go with me, not the tangible things I’ve accomplished here on earth. When I realize what my goal is in life and if I died today, I have to ask myself if I am utilizing my strengths for Christ or for my own glory? That is a tough question but an honest question. I want to strive to lay my head down on my pillow each night knowing I glorified God while being a mother, wife, friend and daughter. This is the legacy I want to leave. I want to leave my son with a heritage of faith, respect and integrity. I want my life to be of value not of material possessions.

I must say I have been really struggling with these concepts of faith and the life around us. Sin is so blinding and sex is filling our society. There are empty souls searching for happiness and my soul literally breaks for our society as I see complete blindness take over everyone. The hunt for something greater is only digging a deeper hole of brokenness. My desire is to express the reality of life that Christ lays out so perfectly in the Bible and impresses on my soul the reality that our life is fleeting. We must talk to those around us and give them a hope in the midst of our fallen society. The more I am learning the more I want to share the truth with everyone. I never really cared before, my faith was mine and mine alone, but the more I learn about Christ and the peace that resides in me, the more I want to share the good news with those out there that are hunting for something greater; a purpose in life. There is a peace to be had, there is a confidence to hold dearly, and a love that is unimaginable.

Am I raising my precious bundle to feel loved, good enough and protected? Am I teaching him how to succeed in this big world around us that we call life? Am I teaching him the things that matter most in life or how to get what he “deserves?” Am I leaving him a legacy of truth and inspiring him to do the same?

Moment of truth: What legacy are you leaving today? If it is not a good one, the good thing is you can change that, take the steps and don’t look back. Leave a heritage of integrity rather than dishonesty and a broken heart. The beginning of the race doesn’t define the end of the race. There is grace and forgiveness to finish the race strong no matter how the race began.