Dear Patheos Friends: November blessings are upon us! And here in Texas it is feeling like fall season. We now need a light jacket to begin the day. Soon the short amount of daylight will propel the color of leaves to begin to turn to fall colors. Always a beautiful sight with all the green leaves turning brown! One of the amazing greatness of God that will never get old! This month of November brings with it lots to observe and celebrate. Yes, November is known as the month of Thanksgiving, yet there are other highlights to observe this month. We have All Saints Day, Daylight Saving Day, World Diabetes Day, Thanksgiving Day, National Princess Day and many more to get us prepared for the holidays.

Periodically, I receive data sets from friends and colleagues wanting to keep me informed on various topics. One of such is the area of wellness- last month and a few days ago, the data on where Americans are in relation to this election cycle was shared. The data is alarming for any therapist, licensed counselor or spiritual leader. Though the data provides us with information on where we are as a people, the data also provides spiritual leaders with a guide on what is close to God's heart in these times. The data shows that 7 in 10 Americans are frustrated, anxious and afraid about this election cycle. This is where we are as a people and it is concerning! We have heard it said, this election cycle is like no other we have seen. Yet, there is a balm, like no other that is surer than the light of day. That balm is not found in the tangibles of life. That balm is found in Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world!

Each of the 7 Americans out of 10 that are afraid, anxious and frustrated due to the elections are God's image-bearers. God cares deeply for each one and wants to provide His peace, love and joy right where they are. In times like this, we can trust God's unfailing Word. In Matthew 11:28, the Savior of the world Himself, extends a timeless invitation to the anxious, to the fearful, to the frustrated. Jesus Christ states, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The Savior is able to extend this timeless invitation to humanity, because He is more than able to fulfil the promise of the timeless invitation. That promise still stands true today in the midst of all the world's uncertainties of our times: Jesus Christ gives peace, because He is the Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ gives rest because He is the Restorer. Jesus Christ calms the soul, because He is the anchor of the soul. God's open arms of care are out-stretched! Offering God's endless invitation through Jesus Christ to anyone and everyone that could use Christ's rest and peace in the midst of all the uncertainties.