Count your blessings, name them one by one

Today as we leave a new year, I was contemplating about my year. Sadly, I was only dwelling on the disappointments and things that did not go my way. I was (not so gently) reminded by my family of all the amazing things that God did in my life this year. As we began to list them, I began to feel small as (as usual) God had worked in my life and I know that he will continue to do so.

Here's just a touch of what God did in 2010:

Provided the chance to take a graduate class at CIU (debt free)
A free ticket to Disney World for a day
A trip to visit several dear friends from Uganda who live in St. Louis
Continued blessings in not only a stable job, but one that I love

AND

Provided a beautiful home rent and utilities free for a year! And I must say, the opportunity to get to know a family that is becoming dear to me as I look out for their home.


As we finished up the conversation, I could only think of the hymn - Count Your Blessings. Yes, things will be hard in 2011, but I can rest assured that my God has my best interest in mind as he weaves the story of my life. Here's to praying that your 2011 is filled with many blessings as well!


Count Your Blessings
by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

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 hath done.

Refrain:
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.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath 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 keep 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—wealth can never 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.