We
should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings
count.
—Neil A. Maxwell
“Count your blessings.”
Three words so familiar we don’t
really hear what they mean anymore. Some days it’s hard to see that blessings
touch our lives at all.
But they do.
According to Merriam-Webster, a blessing
is “something that promotes or contributes to happiness, well-being, or
prosperity; a boon.” I’d say that means
we all are blessed. Do you have someone
to love? A roof over your head? Clothes
on your back? Food in your stomach? The ability to walk on your two feet? Eyes
that can see the world around you? Ears that can hear the laughter of a child,
or the cry of a heartbroken young lover?
I could go on. And on... Obviously,
most of us are living in a veritable downpour of God's blessings. If we woke up this morning and drew another breath of life,
blessings abound. Far too many to count, but we should try. Every day.
The question is…are we aware of
and grateful for our blessings—however many or few—enough to make them count?
If you have someone to love, then love
them…with all that is within you. If you’re fortunate enough to have a solid
roof over your head, live well
beneath its shelter. A selection of clothing hangs in your closet? Then wear
those garments tastefully, with modesty, and with thankfulness. Fill your belly
with the food in your pantry…just be sure to give God the glory He deserves for
providing it, and to be generous with others who might not be so blessed. If
your legs are strong, walk in the way of godliness. If your vision is clear,
then “set no evil thing before your eyes.”
Can you hear with your ears? Then
listen closely for the still, small voice of God. Hear the love in His gentle tones, and be submissive to His will,
for it truly is perfect.
Count your blessings…and make your
blessings count.
Amen! Well said, and it reflects my thoughts each day. Thank you for posting it for all to read and be reminded. Best regards to you, my friend. Ruby
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Heart's Haven, Grammy! We are a blessed people.
Deletehello again! I just noticed you live in Texas! I just moved here to the DFW area three years ago. :) Best regards again... Ruby
ReplyDeleteActually, Heart's Haven is a fictional location in Texas, Grammy. :) I just moved back home to California after a 4 1/2 year hiatus in Oklahoma.
DeleteI read 1 Timothy 6:11 this morning. Paul told the young minister to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. The realization came to me that these qualities are also blessings we receive. I thanked Him for my obvious godsends, and then I requested His help as I journey toward the intangible ones.
ReplyDeleteHi, Gay! What a wonderful observation, and I do believe you are correct - all of these virtues are indeed blessings, and blessings we should all strive to possess. Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteI used to ask my Sunday school girls to write down 3 things each day they knew for a fact GOD did for them. like a near miss in traffic, that last clean pair of underwear because they hadn't done laundry yet, a hug at just the right moment anything they know with out a doubt God had done for them. just three small things each day then work up to 5. the more you watch the more you see His blessings. I had one gal tell me she still has her note book i had them do for class over 10 years ago. That is a blessing to me in its self. Thank you LORD for your SONshine each day!!
ReplyDeleteI am a couple of days behind visiting those from the A to Z Challenge but it's been interesting to see what everyone wrote their B about.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that you wrote it on blessings I immediately thought of my daughter now in heaven. Obviously, losing your only child because she contract a really bad for of E. coli at only eight and half years old is a tragedy by anyone's account. We all think, "Children aren't supposed to die before us." And yet they do.
When she died, could I see any blessings in losing her. Absolutely not. I was so immersed in my own grief that I couldn't see anthing good coming from losing her.
However, as time continue to move forward each and every day, the pain and grief began to lessen. The first year was the hardest, but now we are in the fifth year. She will officially be gone five full years on July 16.
I can now look back at the grief journey I've been on and see the many blessings God has bestowed in my life. We are now being able to raise our niece and nephew. We weren't sure how we would be able to be parents again and they were literally dropped in our laps almost two years ago.
And then there is my writing. What started off as a way of keep family and friends updated on our daughter's progress while she was in the hospital to where I am today has been an unexpect journey that I have grown to love. Writing is now apart of my life and I couldn't imagine not having it. God has given me the gift of writing. My daughter dedicaiton website that I have named Mommy's Angel In Heaven has become an extension of me as it has cronicled my grief journey as well as having my daughter's hospital story posted there.
God's blessing abound in my life and I will forever feel blessed as a result. You are so right in that we just have to open our eyes to see that we have so many blessings around us.
Kristena, thank you for this beautiful comment! God is so amazing, and His blessings are new every morning... :)
DeleteDelia, you are so right. So many people look at a tragedy and then want to blame God that if He was so good why would He allow such things. And for me, it's that God's plan is much bigger than any of us can comprehend. We just have to put our faith and trust into Him and He will guide and protect us along the way.
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