Shine Now Magazine 5 Volume 1 | Page 3

Letter from the Editor, Angeline Lawrence Positive reflection is at the top of my list during the holiday season. Growing up in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains served as the perfect back drop for holidays filled with food, laughter and love. I can still remember seeing the adult table decked out with the finest china at my Auntie Shirley’s house. It was a short walk for me, we lived across the street, but family traveled from miles away to observe Thanksgiving Day in our little town. Today, my holidays are a bit different from when I was a child. I am the one working over a hot stove and preparing the feast with lots of love. We have new traditions, but one remains the same. We are grateful to God for our family no matter where they are. Our contributors share their stories of joy, tribulation and gratitude. Despite our struggles we can still show God our appreciation for his love and patience towards us. He waits for us to bring forth a harvest of spiritual fruit. He prunes us with the rod of correction. He showers us with his Holy Spirit for growth. He enriches us through our trails that bring us more temperance. The blessings we receive will be more than our current capacity. The fruit of our labor will manifest a harvest that will overtake us. Yes, we all have overcome challenges in 2016. Regardless of the obstacles we are still pressing toward the mark of excellence in our calling from God. Yours In Christ, Angeline Lawrence Bit.ly/PowerToday Facebook.com/angelinelawrencewrites 3