Counting My Blessings!
Well, it’s been several days since I’ve blogged! I have fallen prey to a new captor: Facebook, also known as “time consumer!” I tell you, growing old is definitely not for sissies, so the saying goes. Every day I learn a little bit more, and as one friend put it rather succinctly: “It seems like all I’m doing is communicating!” I surely agree – with the addition maybe of, “communicating while snooping on what everyone else in the whole wide world is doing and saying, at the same time!” Bill’s niece, Melanie Downer, described Facebook as everyone being invited to a huge dinner party – without the food, of course.
Actually, it has been a lot of fun, but I feel downright guilty that it has consumed so much of my time. BUT, the upside is that it has put me in touch with friends that I have not seen or heard from in 20+ years! Now, that’s worth everything! Many of the wonderful kids – yes, that’s what they were way back then when we moved from Kentwood – have added me as their friend on Facebook! Now, if that’s not a huge compliment, then I’m missing something! I love knowing that I am still in their memory and they have never left mine, either. It’s fun to see photos of them and their families and somehow all of this causes a huge connection and I’m home again! Memories are beautiful things. Let’s cherish them while we can!
Are the rest of you a little weary of the gloom and doom that constantly bombards us from every possible media outlet? I am. A dear friend this week said that she just might have to stop watching the news because it is so depressing. I agree; there is very little positive information out there, at least on secular radio and television. Can it be that God is permitting all of this for a purpose? I’m not smart enough to know the answer, but I do know that as long as He is God and His promise remains to supply our needs, then we can find something to rejoice about! (Sometimes it’s permissible to end a sentence with a preposition, right?) Sure, there is cause for concern on the financial fronts; but is it possible that I might need to redefine my needs vs. my wants? Absolutely!
For instance, this morning I woke up – officially – after writing in my dreams for a long while. The first sound that greeted me was the sound of singing birds. Is there a more beautiful song? Did they know they had an audience of one? I don’t think so! So they were singing because God put a song into them to express their creativity, call their mates, or just to remind us that they are God’s creation and they have a purpose! Blessing number one for the day! Even before the blessing of that first cup of coffee! And I’m grateful.
The next blessing was a big hug from my Bill who had snuck out of bed much earlier to brush up on his Sunday School lesson. I know I’m blessed to have a husband first of all, and second, one who freely shares his affection. I realize that there are many women out there who are not so blessed, and I’m grateful.
The next blessing came through the sorrow of a family who is very dear to my heart. This family is suffering and dealing with the impending death of their daughter who has terminal cancer. In the midst of all of this heartache and wondering and yes, probably even questioning God, they remain faithful in praising Him and realizing that God is still in control and that He will not allow more to come into our lives than He will give grace to go through the trial. I’m blessed by their response to the circumstances going on in their lives. And I’m grateful for their encouragement. I would like to bank their faith, their love and their unwavering allegiance to the Lord.
It’s only 8:30 in the morning, and there are still so many more blessings that I’ll just enumerate a few of them at this time. I woke up; I could see (yes, even without my “Cadillac” surgery which I know I probably need); I can hear; I can sing; I can pray; I can give and receive hugs; I can hear from my friends in far away places; I can rejoice with them and cry with them; in short, I am blessed! Lord, help me to realize it!
So, can we all – individually and collectively – give a shout-out to God and thank Him for His provisions for all of our needs? He has promised never to leave us or forsake us! Isn’t this good “recession proof” news that doesn’t fluctuate with the financial markets! Folks, we are rich in the things that matter most. He has promised to never let His children beg for bread! Let’s look up and around and find some blessings! No, it won’t make Fox News or CNN, but it will bless us individually and must sound pretty good in the ears of our Father!
Sunday afternoon: And just when I thought I couldn’t get any more blessed today, well…. I found out I could! Many times over. Our youth choir sang in the eleven o’clock service and there was Max, my sweet grandson here in Lancaster; the handbell choir was featured and there was his mother, Merritt, my sweet daughter-in-love, playing handbells! Not just one, either. She plays two handbells in each hand! As I reflected on how blessed I am when my children and grandchildren actively serve the Lord, I remembered that in another service going on in another area of our church, my son, Art, was delivering the lesson/sermon! Blessings abundant! Yes, I am a very blessed woman and sometimes my cup does runneth over!
One of our hymns this morning was Great Is Thy Faithfulness. What better time than this to celebrate this marvelous hymn of God’s faithfulness to us! I thought I would share the words to that great hymn of faith. During these stressful times, it brings joy and assurance to the heart as never before:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
CHORUS: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
I love you all! Today, I vow to try to begin to count my blessings. Someone said the 11th Commandment should be “Thou Shalt Not Whine!” Amen to that suggestion!
Blessings!
Velta
Actually, it has been a lot of fun, but I feel downright guilty that it has consumed so much of my time. BUT, the upside is that it has put me in touch with friends that I have not seen or heard from in 20+ years! Now, that’s worth everything! Many of the wonderful kids – yes, that’s what they were way back then when we moved from Kentwood – have added me as their friend on Facebook! Now, if that’s not a huge compliment, then I’m missing something! I love knowing that I am still in their memory and they have never left mine, either. It’s fun to see photos of them and their families and somehow all of this causes a huge connection and I’m home again! Memories are beautiful things. Let’s cherish them while we can!
Are the rest of you a little weary of the gloom and doom that constantly bombards us from every possible media outlet? I am. A dear friend this week said that she just might have to stop watching the news because it is so depressing. I agree; there is very little positive information out there, at least on secular radio and television. Can it be that God is permitting all of this for a purpose? I’m not smart enough to know the answer, but I do know that as long as He is God and His promise remains to supply our needs, then we can find something to rejoice about! (Sometimes it’s permissible to end a sentence with a preposition, right?) Sure, there is cause for concern on the financial fronts; but is it possible that I might need to redefine my needs vs. my wants? Absolutely!
For instance, this morning I woke up – officially – after writing in my dreams for a long while. The first sound that greeted me was the sound of singing birds. Is there a more beautiful song? Did they know they had an audience of one? I don’t think so! So they were singing because God put a song into them to express their creativity, call their mates, or just to remind us that they are God’s creation and they have a purpose! Blessing number one for the day! Even before the blessing of that first cup of coffee! And I’m grateful.
The next blessing was a big hug from my Bill who had snuck out of bed much earlier to brush up on his Sunday School lesson. I know I’m blessed to have a husband first of all, and second, one who freely shares his affection. I realize that there are many women out there who are not so blessed, and I’m grateful.
The next blessing came through the sorrow of a family who is very dear to my heart. This family is suffering and dealing with the impending death of their daughter who has terminal cancer. In the midst of all of this heartache and wondering and yes, probably even questioning God, they remain faithful in praising Him and realizing that God is still in control and that He will not allow more to come into our lives than He will give grace to go through the trial. I’m blessed by their response to the circumstances going on in their lives. And I’m grateful for their encouragement. I would like to bank their faith, their love and their unwavering allegiance to the Lord.
It’s only 8:30 in the morning, and there are still so many more blessings that I’ll just enumerate a few of them at this time. I woke up; I could see (yes, even without my “Cadillac” surgery which I know I probably need); I can hear; I can sing; I can pray; I can give and receive hugs; I can hear from my friends in far away places; I can rejoice with them and cry with them; in short, I am blessed! Lord, help me to realize it!
So, can we all – individually and collectively – give a shout-out to God and thank Him for His provisions for all of our needs? He has promised never to leave us or forsake us! Isn’t this good “recession proof” news that doesn’t fluctuate with the financial markets! Folks, we are rich in the things that matter most. He has promised to never let His children beg for bread! Let’s look up and around and find some blessings! No, it won’t make Fox News or CNN, but it will bless us individually and must sound pretty good in the ears of our Father!
Sunday afternoon: And just when I thought I couldn’t get any more blessed today, well…. I found out I could! Many times over. Our youth choir sang in the eleven o’clock service and there was Max, my sweet grandson here in Lancaster; the handbell choir was featured and there was his mother, Merritt, my sweet daughter-in-love, playing handbells! Not just one, either. She plays two handbells in each hand! As I reflected on how blessed I am when my children and grandchildren actively serve the Lord, I remembered that in another service going on in another area of our church, my son, Art, was delivering the lesson/sermon! Blessings abundant! Yes, I am a very blessed woman and sometimes my cup does runneth over!
One of our hymns this morning was Great Is Thy Faithfulness. What better time than this to celebrate this marvelous hymn of God’s faithfulness to us! I thought I would share the words to that great hymn of faith. During these stressful times, it brings joy and assurance to the heart as never before:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
CHORUS: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
I love you all! Today, I vow to try to begin to count my blessings. Someone said the 11th Commandment should be “Thou Shalt Not Whine!” Amen to that suggestion!
Blessings!
Velta
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