Count Your Many Blessings

[ComesoonmyLORD]

I was thinking today about this hymn that we often sing in church. How many times have you ever really sat down and tried to count the many blessings that God has given you. Blessings that we are given each and every day of our lives, blessings that we don't even realize or know about, blessings that we asked for then forgot about them only to actually receive them some time later, blessings that we have taken and continue to take for granted. For me, there are days when I act as though I deserve them, that it's somehow owed to me, that I've earned them. Oh how our sinful heart works sometimes. One of my favorite christian musical artists is Tod Agnew. One of his songs talks about how He (God) could love us when we're so ugly, so wretched. No matter how you look at it, that's me. A wretched soul who deserves NOTHING, but yet my Lord and my Savior blesses me everyday, everyhour. Our God is SO GOOD, all the time.
This is not our home; We must press on brothers and sisters, Press On!

 

[JeanR]

What you are saying is so true. Often times we just go along in life taking so much for granted and then suddenly you are knocked off your feet.

I know that God loves me and is looking out for me. He has proved himself faithful during the last 5 weeks. Terry's death was so sudden and shocking. I know I took our marriage for granted and I am so sorry for that. We had so many plans that are now altered forever. He was my soulmate.

I know that life will be changed forever and I am trusting that the Lord will lead me through this time. Psalm 23 has taken on new meaning for me. I always looked at that Psalm from the point of view of the person who is dying. Now I know that you can walk through that valley of death when a loved one passes. God promises to be by our side through it all.

His promises are true and trustworthy.

 

[pauldst]

Funny you should mention that about Psalm 23, Jean. I hadn't thought about that until somebody prayed for me recently, just the last week, and inadvertantly (I think) said, "the shadow of the valley of death." That struck me as being so true. When we go through something like this we are under a shadow that comes from death. But the Lord, He is our light and our salvation! Praise His name!

 

[JeanR]

Another verse that has become very meaningful to me is this:

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

When Terry died so suddenly, I was terrified. I had lost my best friend, my marriage, and found myself on my own for the first time. I was only 20 years old when I married Terry. I went from living with my parents to living with my husband. The thought and responsibility of living on my own was overwhelming. God has proven himself, though. Saying that God will provide and take care of us is easy to say, living it took on a whole new meaning.

I'm doing better for now--that could change in five minutes.

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

One step at a time. Rejoice in the victories no matter how small, don't let the hard things pile up on you all at once. Remember, there is sunshine somewhere over the horizon, just hold on and bare the storm. Your faith is being refined, tempered, strengthened for the battles yet to come. The evil one desires to have you, to steal your joy, but remember the victory has already been won. As always, press on!

 

[JeanR]

I am beginning to dislike Saturday nights. It is so lonely and quiet. The only good thing is that tomorrow I go to church. But, even church is hard to go to without Terry. Guess I'm having a bad night. Sorry, guys.

 

[pauldst]

I am beginning to dislike Saturday nights. It is so lonely and quiet. The only good thing is that tomorrow I go to church. But, even church is hard to go to without Terry. Guess I'm having a bad night. Sorry, guys.

I understand. Is there anyway that you can fill the night with something? I've been chatting online with someone and listening to the webcast from the International House of Prayer. If I'd planned better, I might have gone to a movie...I'll have to plan better in the future.

I had a bad morning, seeing Cheryl's car leave. It hit me harder than I thought it would. I thought the hardest part was gone when I made the decision. I still have the headache from crying so hard after Cheryl's mother left.

Part of me is and . The other part is and . Is there some way to hit fast forward and get through this faster?

Jean, I pray that you sleep well. I pray that you have pleasant restoring dreams and wake up refreshed. I pray that His peace cover you and give you strength.

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Jean- I know what you mean. The kids all went to sleep on time for once. They did a remarkable job today helping me clean house, wash and fold clothes. I took them for ice cream because they did such a great job. But now it's soooooooooo quite. I have nights like this occassionally and I always hate them. I know I should be in the bed asleep, I'm going to early service tomorrow (8:00am) so I can make a short trip tomorrow to visit some relatives, but I may not get any sleep tonight. I'm going to try something that has worked before. Singing.. yep, singing hymns from a church song book. I even close my eyes and imagine I'm setting in the pew sometimes. I can feel Him with me whenever I do this. More than once I've fallen asleep, later waking up with the song book in my lap, lol.