Did you know that God celebrates you? He does, and it all started before you were born. He has planned great things for your life and He has recorded every aspect of your life in His book.

He knows the number of hairs on your head and He has collected every tear you have shed. He weeps over your pain and celebrates your gain. He proclaims His love over you!

He will lead you each day, in all you do and say; all because He loves you. He paid the price with His sacrifice; His treasured Son. You are His treasured gift.

He knows you by name, and He calls you His own. You are precious to Him. He loves you and celebrates you!

Many people have never been celebrated by others but know that God celebrates you! It’s not because of what you’ve done; it’s because of whose you are.

There are times when we need to focus, focus, focus, but we also need to pull back and assess our situation or even our life. Pulling back to evaluate helps us see the broader picture which makes it easier to put things in the proper perspective.

Many of us work hard and put in long hours. Pulling back can show us a better picture. Are we neglecting family and friends? Do we need a better balance? If so, what changes do we need to make?

For some, that will mean quitting earlier, or taking time off to regroup, rest, or to do something else.

I don’t know anyone who maintains a perfect balance in their life, but some have a better handle on balancing life than others. When was the last time you stepped back to look at your life? Did you invite God into the process? He can and will help us.

A simple exercise that may help you:

1. List and rate the people and things that are important to you.

2. List and rate what or who gets the majority of your time.

3. List some things you can do to help bring you into alignment with what’s important to you. Try bringing God into this process. Let Him show you how to have a more balanced life.

So many things in life are bittersweet. I can’t help feeling sad over the tragic loss of Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife. I had the privilege of meeting this amazing man who endorsed my first book. He was truly a humble, godly man who will continue to impact the world through his years of ministry and teaching. He authored 69 books and touched countless lives – including mine.

I have to keep reminding myself that they – along with the others in the plane – are now in a better place. It is those of us who remain behind who have the bittersweet taste of memories.

Isn’t this the case with battles in our lives as well? We don’t usually look for, or rush into problems, but isn’t it through these very hardships that we grow stronger? Bittersweet.

I don’t believe that God is responsible for the problems in our lives. I do believe that He will take what the enemy means for evil – and use the attack as fertilizer in the garden of our heart that is the driving force of our lives. The decisions we make come from the depth of our hearts.

As we honor those who have gone before us, let us remember that it is the power of God that truly changes a life. Allow His power to continue changing your life so that the legacy you leave will live on as well.