Counting Blessings....

 I have not posted anything in a while on my blog.  I have been trying to decide what to write for a while.  I just recently turned 30, and I thought it would be really hard to say that I am thirty, but actually, it has not been that hard at all. However, I guess the older you get you see all the little and big blessings that you have.   You realize how unfair and unkind the world really is too.  I have to admit I have not been counting my blessings like I should have lately.  Sometimes the world and its unfairness creep in and take over our security in things and people.  Just when you think YOU have things under control, the Lord say, “Hey, I am in control not you.”  The Lord is where we should fine our hope and security, not in things or people.  Why is it we know this, but we doubt our faith in the lord and put our trust in other things but God?  I suppose it is because we have this spiritual nature trying to resist our fleshly nature.  Sometimes we sit back and say why me, why me. This is a selfish way of thinking I guess.  Jesus could have said why me, why me and not have died for our sins.  Thank goodness he did not do that.  

 At church the other day, the preacher asked, “What is your darkest day or days?”  Is it that someone has betrayed you, what you believe in has deceived you, relationships you care about and invest your time hurt you, or when things you depend on for security fails you?  We all have had something like this to happen to us.   I try and think about these things and realize that my darkest days are wonderful days to someone else in the world.  I have many blessing to so be so thankful for as you will see when you read my blessings listed below.  I mean I live in America; I should be thankful everyday. After I really think about the things we get upset about, we really have no right to be upset.  The disciples even felt dark days after Jesus die on the cross; they did not believe He was going to rise in three days.  This gives me comfort because if the disciples had “little faith” at times, I am a normal  human being for having moments of ”little faith.”  I think the difference is if we choose to stay in those moments and not grow from them.

 I heard this song, “Have faith in God.”  This comes from Mark 11:22.  I thought to myself what a simple phrase, but it is so true all we are called to do is have faith in God and nothing else.  He did not say have faith and you have to have strength to get through your troubles; He said, “Have faith in me, and I will take care of you and ALL your troubles. I will NEVER leave you or FORSAKE you.”  I have also been watching Dr. David Jeremiah, and he has a new book called God Loves You.  His motto is God loves you; he always has, and he always will.  I by no means have everything in my life under control, and I let the world creep in sometimes and can cause me to lose my security in Jesus and let the things of the world become my security.  That is why I just try to remind myself of the things I have mentioned above.  So I have started to try and really stop and be thankful for the really TINY and big things in life to help me realize the things I worry about or get upset about really do not matter as much as I think they do.  Some of my blessings may seem small to some people, but I think we take things for granted from day to day. Trying to Fully Rely on God ( FROG) each and everyday.

My list of abundant blessings to be thankful for.

#1#1#1 Jesus has saved me from utter darkness and loves me and will NEVER leave or forsake me.

Loving family

Loving Husband

Great, wonderful, caring, godly and giving mother

Caring and godly father

Wonderful, sweet, adorable 2 year old daughter that brings joy and laughter to life

A sweet tender hug around the neck from Ellie Kate.

2 loving and caring sisters

Nice and comfortable home and car

Freedom to worship where I want

Wonderful friends

The great job of changing and helping children grow and learn new things.

A wonderful church family

Living in the USA

Good Health

Always have food to eat

Clean water to drink

Cozy comfortable bed to sleep in at night

A new day to live each day for God’s purpose.

Two wonderful grandmothers who are still alive and well

***This one may seem odd, but I have to try and be thankful for my struggles in life because they ultimately bring me closer to God and make me a better person.