Count Your Blessings

“Count your blessings—not your problems” was the sign I read as I drove by a nearby church recently. Once again I felt convicted that too often I have my focus on problems and not on the many blessings in my life.

How easy it is for me to list in my mind all the problems I and my family members face. Focusing on them can lead to feeling down and at some moments hopeless about the future.

As I write this blog, the thought to list some of my problems here came to mind, but no! what I need to do is list my blessings.

I have a loving husband and a lasting marriage. In 2015 it will be 40 years. Wow! It’s amazing that God has kept our love alive even though we have faced many trials.

I have two loving daughters and a loving grandchild.

My children have jobs that they like and are able to support themselves.

My 11-year-old granddaughter is doing well in school.

My granddaughter was a preemie baby but has thrived and overcome the problems she faced because of being born too soon.

I have a loving mother and father, and we get to spend quality time together on a regular basis.

Neither of my parents have shown any signs of dementia.

God is sustaining my father despite his disability and battle with chronic pain.

I am close to my siblings.

I have a beautiful home.

I have nice neighbors.

One of my neighbors is a close friend and Christian sister.

I have a loving cat who has been a part of our family for 16 years.

I have an excellent, challenging job working with the mentally ill.

I have the privilege of being a writer and reaching out to others with God’s truth and hope, and I have had my writing published in numerous publications.

I get to travel often to wonderful places and to visit relatives, and my employer gives me the time off as needed.

God has provided for all of our financial needs through the years.

God has given me the privilege of being a singer, songwriter, and guitarist despite the fact that years ago I was convinced, “I cannot sing” and “I’ll never learn to play the guitar.”

God is opening more opportunities to sing to bless others including doing music therapy for the mentally ill.

I am in good health.

I live not far from the beach and get to enjoy walks and jogs on the beach as well as swimming in the Gulf.

God loves me.

God has been faithful to me over the years.

God has brought faithful friends into my life to encourage me.

God has sustained me in my times of grief—most recently after my brother’s death from suicide 2-1/2 years ago.

I have a church home with people there who really care about me and about helping me to grow as a Christian.

There is so much more to add to my blessings list. I need to do this more often as I feel uplifted just by remembering the good things in my life. This verse comes to mind:

I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me (Psalm 13:6)

Now it’s your turn.

Here’s the link to an old familiar hymn about counting our blessings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm_gmEJjHws