Be thankful for the dreams and goals God has placed in your heart

This week is Thanksgiving and is always a time that we make a conscious effort to reflect on the things we are thankful for in our lives. This year, I'd like you to not only be thankful for what you know you already have but also for the dreams / vision that God has given you for your life. And while you may be wondering why you would be thankful for something that hasn't happened yet (and may seem like it will never happen), in the heavenly realm it has in fact already happened and we are just waiting to see it manifest in our lives.

It's all about patience and faith

Have you ever been told by someone that they are sending you money? That they are writing a check and will put it in the mail? (Like money as a birthday gift or payment for something you are selling.) Did you question whether that check would really come in the mail? Probably not. Likely, you started planning what you were going to do with the money as soon as it arrived.

The same is true for the dreams (aka goals or vision) that God has placed in your heart. If He gave you the desire for financial freedom or for kids who are caring and respectful or for a marriage that is abundant in love - then He also has a plan for making these dreams a reality. It's not a matter of you figuring out how to make your dreams come true, thank God that it's not up to us! It is unquestionably true that you will see those dreams come to fruition if you remain diligent in the little things and that takes patience and faith.

So in the case of financial freedom:

• Be diligent with updating your budget daily.

Know where your money is at all times. How can God bless you with financial abundance if you are showing Him you won't care for it? Show Him you are responsible and want to be honorable your wealth.

• Contemplate your purchases (no more impulse buys)

Show God with your actions that you care more about being financially free than about the material things money can buy. You may say you want to be debt free but actions speak louder than words. If you constantly buying whatever tickles your fancy without considering how it will impact your budget or financial goals, then you're showing God you care more about your possessions than being financially free. So before you make any purchase, think about whether you need or want the item, do you have money to buy it now or need to wait, and do your research to make sure the purchase is worth it (nothing is worse than shelling out money for something only to find it's a lemon).

• Thank God for your financial freedom

It's time to quit living in the moment and start living by faith. Every day thank him for the money that's in your bank account and that it's growing larger daily. Thank Him every time you update your budget that He brings you money and cuts your expenses in unexpected ways. Thank Him that even though you don't see it yet, you trust Him that He is good to His word and will undoubtedly bring you into financial freedom.

So what are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for you, for my husband and kids, for the financial freedom that God has blessed us with, for our home that is so filled with love, for our future home that is bigger to fit our growing family, for the school our kids attend that it God-centered, for the opportunities I have every day to grow in my relationship with God.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving and safe travels!

~Jill