Count Your Blessings

      The title of my blog is also the title of a song we sing in Church! The song reminds us that when times are difficult we should count our blessings. As it says, "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings; money cannot buy Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your blessings; See what God hath done. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.

     Do we really pay attention to what this song is telling us to do? Do we count our blessings in tough times? Do we have blessings to count in tough times? I can testify that many times when I am struggling through a tough time, that singing this song DOES help because it makes me stop and think! And what do I think about? Exactly what it tells me to: I go through making a list, in my head, of all my blessings, old ones like great parents who raised me in a loving home or newer ones like my children and grandchildren and new ones that may have just happened like being blessed with the technology to share my thoughts on this blog. 

     So I issue each of us a challenge, to focus on counting our blessings each day, good days. bad days, easy days, hard days!! Sing this song and then start making our brain lists!   Some days it may be harder than others, BUT if you really take the time to think about it I know you can come up with some every single day. And doing so will help those down, discouraged, blue feelings not be so overwhelming because you are focusing on blessings that count in your life! So "Count Your Blessings" and don't forget to thank the Lord for them!!!