Counting My Blessings

Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your many blessings.....name them one by one....
Count your many blessings SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE!


This morning, I went to breakfast with my mom. We went to Cracker Barrel (bluberry french toast! Yum-O) where they are already putting out fall decorations. Among them were those fabulous "green" shopping bags. You know the ones. They are kinda plastic, but stiff. Anyway, I just LOVE those goofy bags! I have a whole bunch of them because I'm a tote-y kinda person. The one at Cracker Barrel had several things going for it:

1. It is HUGE!
2. It was $.99!
3. It was brown, gold & red with sunflowers on it.
4. It had a snap closure.
5. It said, "Count Your Blessings"

Well, seriously, how could I pass it up? Truly, I am now wondering why I only bought one (so I won't buy so many of them at the same place that I can't buy one at the next place I find them).

You know, if you listen with your heart, you will hear ALL KINDS OF THINGS. This bag "Spoke" to me. Do you know what I mean?

The first thing it said was, "Remember how blessed you are. Don't EVER forget what all God has done for you!"

I hear ya!

Then, it said, "Aren't these colors so warm & comforting? You know that you love this combination...most of your house is done in these colors."

True, true...

And, lastly, it said, "You would be a complete IDIOT if you passed up a deal like this!"

Ok, OK already!! LOL

Really, The bag had me at "Count Your Blessings".

I am SO blessed. Oh, trust me, it has NOTHING to do with money...at ALL. Nope, we ain't got much 'o that stuff. But what we DO have is love. Oh yes, so much love it will make us cry if we start trying to comprehend it.

My hero & I often get misty-eyed when we talk about the depth & blessing of our love for each other and our children. It is just SO much more than we can even fathom. And, when we think there can be no more...there is.

I chuckle when I think back on the days when I wondered how I could possibly love another child, I already loved the 2 I had so very much. I couldn't love another one, so God expanded my heart! I have had so many heart enlargements, that I'm just about full to overflowing! :) Each one of my 9 blessings (my hero + 8 darlings) is so unique & wonderful that I truly enjoy exploring their personalities with them...discovering who & what they are becoming.

Oh, and the life we live. Really, I could go on forever about the things in my life that are blessings.

"I've a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep. There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet. You gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!"

Not to be materialistic, but I have a gorgeous piece of property upon which to feast my eyes daily. I enjoy my house, it is suficient for our needs (ok, I could use more closet space, but ehh...who's complaining?). True, it isn't the dream house we had in mind, but it is a blessing. It came at the right time, and at the right price! Who could ask for more? Not me.

I have eyes...literally & spiritually. I can see all that God has for me to see. Sometimes, there is just too much for me to see, and He so gentle to only reveal what I can handle for the moment.

I have ears...again...literally & spiritually. Music floods my ears. Sounds of joy. Sounds of praise. Sounds of laughter. Sounds of sorrow. Words that cause peace, love, and understanding.

Even the trials, disappointments, hurts & sorrows are blessings. These are the things that cause us to grow. I so want to grow. Growing pains are not fun, but they ARE necessary. I am thankful that God is helping me to grow.

Oh....the blessings. Hmmm....it is time to stop for now, but I hope that I have made the impression upon my readers that I am, indeed a very blessed woman.

Have you thanked God for your blessings? Have you sat down & truly thought about the ways that you are blessed?

Go by Cracker Barrel. Have a yummy blueberry french toast breakfast, and buy yourself a tote bag. When you use it, pause a minute & think on your blessings. Go deeper than the obvious ones. Search your heart & pray...is there something in your life that you hadn't seen as a blessing before? Look at it from God's perspective...quite possibly, it is a blessing in disguise!