“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Paul gives us three guidelines for being in God’s will. I have to admit; I struggle with discerning God’s will in my life. As most of you know, I am still aspiring to write (and get published) Christian picture books for children. I knew (thought I knew) three years ago when I started this blog that this was where the Lord was leading me.

I attended Christian writers’ conferences where I met some most awesome people and made dear friends. I joined SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and attended conferences. Again I met some wonderful people and took classes from some of the most well-known authors like Jane Yolen. I have written and submitted several books to publishers since then with no luck. I am beginning to believe I got it all wrong.

But then I read Paul’s advice in I Thessalonians and I don’t think I’ve got it all wrong. But maybe I have the order wrong. First, I should rejoice always. No matter my circumstances, no matter my disappointments, no matter my anticipated plan, I just need to rejoice in my God and my Savior and my adoption as a child of the Most-High God.

Second, I need to pray continually. Not just for my goals, my desires, my hopes, my issues, I need to pray continually for our country, our state, our family and friends, for all who need to know the Lord, I just need to pray for the big things and the little things and communicate with my Father always.

Third, I need to give thanks in all circumstances. When things are going my way and when they are not, when I feel happy and when I feel down, when I am confident in my abilities and when I doubt myself, I just need to thank my Lord and Creator for all He allows me to do, to see, to experience, and for all the love He bestows on me and permits me pass on to others.

This week let’s all look to Paul’s wise advice to stay in God’s will through Jesus. I rejoice that we can share and worship our Lord. I pray for all of you continually. And I thank the Lord always for you. Join me this week as we rejoice, pray and give thanks so that we may know God’s will for our lives.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we try to implement Paul’s advice to stay in God’s will.

Blessings and prayers!