Greetings!

BlogFam, there are many times I cannot anticipate the space I will be in - physically or emotionally - when I write.  And on this morning, I am in a very good space!  I am at my parent's home and all of my immediate family has gathered together to celebrate Christmas.  God could not have set this up in a more perfect way considering our iTHRIVE focus for this morning - Embrace My SUPPORT.

If there were ever any people in my life that I could most readily name as my biggest and most consistent supporters throughout my entire life, I would have to name my family.  Hands down!  I have been tremendously blessed with parents who love the Lord and taught all of us to love the Lord and to live our lives dedicated to the way of the Lord.  I have been equally blessed with siblings who know all about me and still love me, check me, pray for me, fast with me, celebrate me and I do the same for all of them.  I am very grateful that the Lord has blessed me with such an amazingly steady and strong support system in my immediate family....and I find the same in much of my extended family as well.  God is so GOOD!  

However, beyond my blood connections, I have been blessed with some amazing friends and mentors, who have also been support for me.  I have friends and mentors who have let me cry on their shoulders, laughed at my craziness, checked me when I was wrong, warned me when they sensed danger, cheered for me when I reached goals, affirmed me through breakups, believed in me when I felt alone, and who have prayed for me just because they care.   I have some really amazing friends and for that I am grateful!  [THANK YOU to my friends who are reading this today... you know who you are and I love you]  

BlogFam, who is your biggest supporter?  Who makes up your support system?  You must know that none of us can make it completely on our own.  We are not an island unto ourselves.  We should not aim to live our lives as a one man or one woman show.  It is time to embrace your SUPPORT.

Have you heard about the turtle on the fence post?

An old rancher was talking to his doctor and said, "When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle".

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, and he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder who put him up there to begin with".

Friends, we have all had moments in our lives when we were promoted, elected, awarded, complemented, elevated and victorious simply because someone or a group of people decided to support us in walking through doors, sitting at tables, and connecting with people that we would not have otherwise been able to connect with but for their belief in us, their prayers for us, and their love extended toward us.  We have been turtles on fence posts because of the support system we have in friends, family, mentors, neighbors, employers, classmates, and co-workers.

And today is a good day for you to check the status of your support system and then to fully embrace your support so that you can begin and continue to THRIVE in every area of your life.

I know that some or many of your supporters have come and gone.  But look around and search within, who are your biggest encouragers in THIS season of your life?  And I would venture to say that if you would fix your mouth to say that no one is in your corner, you are either very selfish and arrogant OR you have belittled the support that has been given to you to get where you are today.  BlogFam, Who has your back?  Who will put you up?  Who will put up with you?   Who will push you to be your very best?  And for whom are YOU support?  How have YOU been a blessing to someone else as their biggest encourager, ride or die friend, rain or shine fan? 

Friends, Embrace your SUPPORT!  It is time for you to embrace the support of those whom God has placed in your life to propel you into your destiny.  You are not alone.  God is with you and God will never leave you, nor forsake you.  AND the Lord our God is kind enough to place people in your life - sometimes unexpected surprises - who will be your support system and who genuinely want to see you THRIVE.

BlogFam,  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.... BUT you will have the SUPPORT that you need.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [Ephesians 5:15-17]  And I pray that today would be the day that you embrace your support.  Check in with your support.  Check out from unhealthy support.  Thank those who have supported you and look for ways you can support others.  I pray that you would be reminded that you are a turtle on a fence post and you did not get where you are and will not get to where you want to be, on your own or by yourself.  I pray that God would open your eyes to see the support system that is in place in your life.  I pray that you would embrace your support and that your support would push you to THRIVE!

GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO!

Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine!

Delesslyn