I have been so blessed this year that I don't know what to do with myself. Of course, most of my blessings came at the end of the year, but still, this year has been a good one.
One of the best things to happen for me this year has been getting a new job that lets me work better hours - and it's full time! Working in Opp has been great for the past month and I look forward to many more months here.
One of my blessings in disguise was finding out that I am diabetic. Having this happen at this point in my life has been hard, but I am able to deal with it fairly well. I have always known I would be at risk since my mother had diabetes. But being able to lose weight and really take a step back and look at what I am eating has really made a difference in my life. I'm not where I need to be by any means, but I am well on my way to where I want to go.
I couldn't tell you how many times I talked to my cousin and best friend, Mary Ann since she moved to Lakeland, but I can tell you I have talked to her more in the past 5 months than I have since they moved from Tuscaloosa. It is a blessing that she and I have gotten to be close again despite the distance that separates us. I am lucky to be able to be considered her daughter's aunt even though I'm not Mary Ann's real sister. I know in our hearts, we are and always will be sisters.
I'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I know that I often take for granted the fact that I can go away and not be in church at Mobley Creek for a while and come back and still feel welcome. Though, we may not have a large congregation, it is one that I have come to know and love for a very long time. We are truly blessed to have a wonderful pastor - Terry Powell and I am proud to say that he is every bit a Christian outside the church doors as he is inside.
Writing has always been my passion - well probably since about the age of 15, I wanted to be a writer. I didn't think I was any good or that I might make it big and I still haven't, but I'm well on my way. I'm doing something I love. Talking to people and learning their stories always touches my heart and I am proud that I am gifted enough to do this job.
I think the Lord has truly blessed me with many wonderful gifts, which I know I take for granted. My singing and my writing are both gifts that I know he has given me to show others about my faith in him. I don't sing as much as I should, but I have rejoined the church choir and that is fulfilling in itself.
I don't know what I would do without my wonderful and supportive church family. They have been the ones that I have leaned upon and shared my troubles with over the past few years. They have never faultered in showing me they will do whatever they can to help. Isn't that the most wonderful thing?
I know this blog is jumping all over the place, but I really do have a great deal to be thankful for as 2009 comes to a close. I can only hope that 2010 brings even better things my way - despite the fact that I will be 30 in May.
I wish all of you the very best in the new year and I hope His blessings and goodness shine on you!
God Bless!
-Esther
All I want for Christmas is...
Thursday, December 17, 2009
By ESTHER TAYLOR
The Opp News
oppeditorial@centurytel.net
Reading through Dear Santa letters, for the paper, I start to get a little nostalgic. I think about when I was in first grade or second grade – which is over 20 years ago if you can believe it.
I remember wanting simple things, like Barbies and things to entertain me. Now, children have a host of electronic games that can entertain and educate. I think we were easier to please back then. Children today seem to want everything they see on television and Lord help us all if their best friend has something they don’t.
I think it’s important to remember to want more simple things for Christmas, but sometimes those things get lost in what we think we really want and need in our lives.
If I were to write a letter to Santa, it would go something like this:
Dear Santa,
I will not say that I’ve been very good this year. I’m sure I haven’t, but as far as nice goes, I think I’d be among the others on the ‘Nice’ list.
First of all, I would like world peace, but I do not want this at the cost of more lives. I would like for all of our troops to be able to come home for the holidays and be with their families. These courageous men and women have fought, bled and died for our country to be able to have the freedom to celebrate holidays and have the right to state our opinions. They should be able to come home after eight years over there fighting to keep the terrorists at bay.
Second, I would like for there to be no poverty. Everyone should have money in their pockets and a place to call home. I’m not saying this should be a free handout and I’m not saying those who already get government assistance should get off their butts and get a job instead of mooching off the hard working citizens of these United States. Actually, you know what, that IS what I’m saying. If you can work, if you’re physically and mentally able to keep a full time job, you should. No questions. And just because you have assistance from the government to feed your six kids, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work to support your family further. Government handouts are not for people who sit on their butts and continue to take for granted that people like me help to pay for what you’ve got on your table. And I bet that it’s better than what I’ve got in my refrigerator at home right now.
Third, I would like for there to be a big deal about holidays that honor our fallen soldiers. These men and women gave their lives for us. Does anyone know what that means? That means these people willingly gave up their hopes and dreams and have stepped into the wars that have happened to ensure our survival as a great nation.
I know I’m asking a lot, but these are things our country needs to remember and fight for in the coming years.
Santa we need a little help, so if any of this could be accomplished, I know you’d be the first one to do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re real or not – if you’re real to hundreds of boys and girls across the world, that says something.
When we’re young, we have faith that you’ll bring us what we want. And sometimes we get it and sometimes we don’t. The point is, it’s important to believe in something, no matter what it is!
I know you’ll try your best to lend a helping hand.
Love,
Esther
P.S. If you find Christian Kane lying around somewhere, send him along too.
The Opp News
oppeditorial@centurytel.net
Reading through Dear Santa letters, for the paper, I start to get a little nostalgic. I think about when I was in first grade or second grade – which is over 20 years ago if you can believe it.
I remember wanting simple things, like Barbies and things to entertain me. Now, children have a host of electronic games that can entertain and educate. I think we were easier to please back then. Children today seem to want everything they see on television and Lord help us all if their best friend has something they don’t.
I think it’s important to remember to want more simple things for Christmas, but sometimes those things get lost in what we think we really want and need in our lives.
If I were to write a letter to Santa, it would go something like this:
Dear Santa,
I will not say that I’ve been very good this year. I’m sure I haven’t, but as far as nice goes, I think I’d be among the others on the ‘Nice’ list.
First of all, I would like world peace, but I do not want this at the cost of more lives. I would like for all of our troops to be able to come home for the holidays and be with their families. These courageous men and women have fought, bled and died for our country to be able to have the freedom to celebrate holidays and have the right to state our opinions. They should be able to come home after eight years over there fighting to keep the terrorists at bay.
Second, I would like for there to be no poverty. Everyone should have money in their pockets and a place to call home. I’m not saying this should be a free handout and I’m not saying those who already get government assistance should get off their butts and get a job instead of mooching off the hard working citizens of these United States. Actually, you know what, that IS what I’m saying. If you can work, if you’re physically and mentally able to keep a full time job, you should. No questions. And just because you have assistance from the government to feed your six kids, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work to support your family further. Government handouts are not for people who sit on their butts and continue to take for granted that people like me help to pay for what you’ve got on your table. And I bet that it’s better than what I’ve got in my refrigerator at home right now.
Third, I would like for there to be a big deal about holidays that honor our fallen soldiers. These men and women gave their lives for us. Does anyone know what that means? That means these people willingly gave up their hopes and dreams and have stepped into the wars that have happened to ensure our survival as a great nation.
I know I’m asking a lot, but these are things our country needs to remember and fight for in the coming years.
Santa we need a little help, so if any of this could be accomplished, I know you’d be the first one to do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re real or not – if you’re real to hundreds of boys and girls across the world, that says something.
When we’re young, we have faith that you’ll bring us what we want. And sometimes we get it and sometimes we don’t. The point is, it’s important to believe in something, no matter what it is!
I know you’ll try your best to lend a helping hand.
Love,
Esther
P.S. If you find Christian Kane lying around somewhere, send him along too.
Holiday Thanksgiving
Monday, December 14, 2009
With Thanksgiving having already passed and Christmas coming up, I’ve been thinking about what I’m most thankful for this year. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful, supportive family. I have a Savior who died to save a poor sinner like me. I have a great new job. I have wonderful friends, who are like family to me. I have food to eat, a car that gets me where I need to go, and a roof over my head.
I’m thankful for old friends who have come back into my life. I’m thankful that we can carry on as if no time has past. I am thankful that true friends never forget you and though time and space may separate you, you are always in each other’s hearts.
I am eternally grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Without the prayers of God’s children, I know many of my own prayers would not be answered. I’m thankful for all the answered prayers for my health. I’m thankful for the answered prayer for a better job as well.
I am thankful for the time God allowed me to have my parents before He called them home. I am grateful for my mother’s faith in God and her teaching me about His love from a very young age. I know the reason I still have my faith is because of the example my mother set for me. I know later in her life, she couldn’t go to church because of her health, but she still would study her Bible on occasion. Her Bible, which I still have though it is now worn with care, has many notes and underlined passages. When I look through it, I can feel connected to her through the words of the Father.
I am thankful to those who inspire me to be creative and try to do more to better myself. I am glad the Lord above saw fit to put these people in my life as inspiration. I can only hope that I too can be an inspiration and example for someone one day.
Most of all, I am thankful to be alive and healthy enough to go to work. I may not like some of the aspects of my life, but I am always thankful to be alive.
As Christmas draws near, we need to be thankful for the real reason why we celebrate this holiday – our Lord Jesus.
So often we forget in our busy lives that it is He who guides us. He’s the Great Physician, Mighty Counselor, Lamb of God, Living Water, and so much more. He’s whatever we need, whenever we need it. Isn’t that so amazing? One person can be everything we need! All we have to do is remember it!
We have remember the reason we have what we have is because of Him. We have family to share the holiday with and we make precious memories that will last a lifetime, but we have to remember to be thankful for Him and what He has given to us.
I’m thankful for old friends who have come back into my life. I’m thankful that we can carry on as if no time has past. I am thankful that true friends never forget you and though time and space may separate you, you are always in each other’s hearts.
I am eternally grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Without the prayers of God’s children, I know many of my own prayers would not be answered. I’m thankful for all the answered prayers for my health. I’m thankful for the answered prayer for a better job as well.
I am thankful for the time God allowed me to have my parents before He called them home. I am grateful for my mother’s faith in God and her teaching me about His love from a very young age. I know the reason I still have my faith is because of the example my mother set for me. I know later in her life, she couldn’t go to church because of her health, but she still would study her Bible on occasion. Her Bible, which I still have though it is now worn with care, has many notes and underlined passages. When I look through it, I can feel connected to her through the words of the Father.
I am thankful to those who inspire me to be creative and try to do more to better myself. I am glad the Lord above saw fit to put these people in my life as inspiration. I can only hope that I too can be an inspiration and example for someone one day.
Most of all, I am thankful to be alive and healthy enough to go to work. I may not like some of the aspects of my life, but I am always thankful to be alive.
As Christmas draws near, we need to be thankful for the real reason why we celebrate this holiday – our Lord Jesus.
So often we forget in our busy lives that it is He who guides us. He’s the Great Physician, Mighty Counselor, Lamb of God, Living Water, and so much more. He’s whatever we need, whenever we need it. Isn’t that so amazing? One person can be everything we need! All we have to do is remember it!
We have remember the reason we have what we have is because of Him. We have family to share the holiday with and we make precious memories that will last a lifetime, but we have to remember to be thankful for Him and what He has given to us.
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