#ThursdayThoughts Guest post by Carol Nichols!

Good Morning!

Well, tomorrow is D-Day...I'm departing for a 2 month RV trip along the West Coast then across the Midwest and back down south! Follow me here and on Facebook for updates and pics and don't forget the Multi-Author Rafflecopter giveaway which ends on 12:01 am July 1st!

I'm excited to bring Carol Nichols back to our blog to share some thoughts with us so please give her a warm welcome.....

Do you have a mantra?  You know something that you can call upon during a time of need. I do.  It’s “Count all things joy” and “Only good comes from God.”

Sometimes that’s hard to wrap your head around especially if you are stressed, feeling inadequate to find a solution to a loved one’s problem or just overwhelmed.

Are there times when you feel like the donkey that has fallen into the ditch on the Sabbath and not completely sure if anyone is going to come pull you out?

We have numerous feelings brought on by all sorts of circumstances, and I don’t know about you, but when my heart is overwhelmed, I want to do anything but think about joy.  I want to escape from what feels too large and out of control.

I try not to have a pity party, and I certainly don’t want to do it alone if I do, so I usually try to pull friends into it with me by sending text messages bemoaning my circumstances in life.  But thankfully they don’t let me get far. They tell me, God is there for me and wants us when I’m feeling this way, to turn to him. To run to His Word which calms me and comforts me, so they send scripture.

Most times, you can’t change the happenings in your life that feel so monumental.  The happenings that swirl around you day by day. But, whatever feels bigger than you and I is nothing for our Lord and Savior who can handle all things.

When I want to escape, which seems to be quite often, and sometimes even want to hit the road so that I may be released from whatever powers that be, I’ve learned to first turn to God.

The kindergarten and first grade on Wednesday night that my friend and I are so privileged to teach in the worship session, are a fine example of this.  All are well on their way, as you can already see there open-hearted trust in the Lord.

We tell them that when they open the Bible that what’s inside is not only God’s word but God’s living word.  We tell them they can read God’s word over and over and then on that one certain day God speaks to us through that same scripture we have repeatedly read.  Yes, repeatedly read, but until now, until this particular situation, we have never read in this way with this need.

James tells us to Count all things joy.  So, when we are deep into it, we better get our joy going and always praise Him whether in the sunshine or the rain.

For with the Lord, you can find yourselves covered in the truth of His Word and in the security of His presence.  For in Him all the day to day pressures, which mount against you, can quickly be brought in to the size of the Almighty.  For our God is a big God.

God’s living Word gives us the safety we need.  And if God’s word is living then we, being in his presence, can give us the love and peace we need.  Then when you feel the need to escape, please turn to Jesus who’s waiting to envelop you in his arms.

Wow, Carol so TRUE! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!

Carol has worked in the legal profession since her Junior year of High school where she was a legal secretary at an El Reno law firm.

Carol continued her career in law enforcement with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and worked under four different administrations before accepting a position with the District Attorney’s Office.

After a move to Southern Illinois, she worked for a criminal defense attorney before moving to Pennsylvania.  In Pennsylvania, Carol started writing through journals.  Upon moving back to El Reno in 1992, she was employed by USDA, Ft. Reno before retiring.

Carol’s journey continued with family illness thus heightening her awareness of life's fragility and resumed in-depth writing to move things from her mind to paper after the loss of her husband, Glen.
Carol has found release and expresses her feelings about life, marriage and faith which is well realized in her writings.

She resides in El Reno with her Jack Russell terrier, Patches. Find out more about Carol by visiting her website.

Beautiful clocks, Carol and I understand exactly how you feel. My own sweet husband died in 2009 and it's been a long journey from then until now. Treasure each moment you shared, but don't forget to treasure yourself and the opportunities to grow and bless others from your experiences.

Friends you can find Carol's debut novel, A Different Season at Amazon in Ebook and Print!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT