Counting Blessings

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.

I love the fall, I love to cook, and I really love

to eat.

Last year, my Mom died the week before Thanksgiving.

The year before that, she found out she was dying

the week before Thanksgiving.

Needless to say, I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I've been focusing on what I don't have.

This morning, for some reason, I was thinking about a song

that my Mom used to always sing when I was growing up.

"Count Your Blessings".

Even while she was dying, my Mom was thankful for everything

that she had. She was thankful for her life, her family, her faith,

EVERYTHING.

I started singing,  "When you are discouraged, thinking

all is lost.  When you're heavy burdened with the

weight of cost.  Count your many blessings, name them one by

one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

While I was singing, I started thinking of all that I have

been blessed with.

Our two youngest sons.  Boys the Lord brought back to us

despite our doubts.  Our two older children.

Children that the Lord picked out for us and brought into our family.

Children whose hearts have been changed, whose lives have

been changed.

My parents who loved me unconditionally and who raised me

to love and serve the Lord.

My husband, who came into my life when I never expected it.

I have been blessed with a very happy marriage, so many people

have not.  I have been blessed with more blessings that I could ever count,

could ever name.  I miss my Mom during the holidays.

It's hard to have a new life without her, but I am so thankful for

all of the blessings that the Lord has given to me.

I have been blessed beyond measure.  I have been blessed more than I could ever

deserve.  I am truly thankful.