I was finally able to sleep in past 5:00 am this morning. I was thankful for the extra hour of sleep…I retreated from the comfort of my bed at 6:00 am and sat outside a little while to bask in this beautiful morning before my husband joined me.

As we sat chatting, a robin flew over and sat on our back fence. He was there a moment and then took off. Mason and I continued our conversation and soon Mr. Robin returned with a worm in his mouth. Again, he flew away and came back one more time with yet another worm. It was almost as if he wanted to share this victory with us.

I love sharing victories with others. Sometimes they are little, like unjamming the copy machine. YAY! Or maybe finding a great price on gasoline. YAY! Or what about finding something that was lost? YAY!

Sometimes victories are huge, like meeting a life goal. YAY! Or running the Bolder Boulder. YAY! Or losing 30 pounds. YAY! Or beating cancer. YAY!

I must say that NASCAR has some of the best victory parties. In victory lane, there’s always confetti, liquid is poured over everyone, hootin’ and hollerin’ abounds, and smiles from ear to ear. Now that’s what I call a victory celebration!

Thanksgiving goes hand-in-hand with victories. Regardless of what the victory, we find the need to be thankful. There’s not one NASCAR driver sitting in victory lane that doesn’t give thanks to someone. The victory was a team effort. It is a team victory.

Our biggest victories come through Jesus Christ. Take a look at some of these victories!

• Accomplish our purpose through Jesus (Isaiah 55:10-11)
• We know the One who has already been victorious (John 16:33)
• We are able to conquer anything this world throws at us (Romans 8:35-39)
• Victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
• We follow the One who leads us in the triumphal procession (2 Corinthians 2:14)
• Our faith has made us victorious (1 John 5:3-5)

And of course, our thanksgiving should always be directed toward God, because He will be with you through it all (Deuteronomy 20:4; Romans 8:31)

This is just a sampling of the victories we have in Christ Jesus. Perhaps you have your own list? If so, why not share those victories?

I don’t know what battles I’ll win today, but what I do know is that without Jesus they are all hollow victories. I pray that you are able to enjoy each victory with Jesus today. I certainly will.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna