Count Your Blessings (Not Your Curses!)

Save me...

     In the midst of a storm it is so easy to focus on the negative and become quickly lost in the raging waves that surround you. You tightly grip the sides of the boat trying to steady yourself, but to no avail. I am guilty of doing just that myself, getting lost in the sea of hopelessness holding my eyes tightly shut, wishing I would disappear. Then I remember...

Photo I took trying to be creative.

     I remember whose child I am and the promises my Father has made to me. I realize that no matter how alone I feel, He will NEVER leave me alone. He doesn't promise us that it will always be easy, but He promises to never leave us. There is comfort in that.

     I remember all that God has brought me through in the past, no matter how insignificant it may have been. I recall the hurt and pain I experienced during those times, how I never thought I'd "live" again, and how now they seem like distant memories. Like those trials, this too shall pass.

Recovering from my accident.

     I remember the story of Job, and how in the midst of his misfortune he fell to the ground and said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21) What a HUMBLE attitude! The man just lost his family, his farm, EVERYTHING, yet he fell to his knees in worship!

     With all that I have been struggling through here of late, my increased foot pain wasn't helping. I had been doing so well with the recovery, going to physical therapy three times a week and walking without my cane for a couple of weeks. Then, suddenly it became excruciatingly painful to walk at all. Well, last night while attempting to walk Dallas, I spoke out loud almost without thinking, "Lord, never let me forget." After I spoke the words it was as if I surprised myself at what I had just said (which I had) and I thought about it more. I certainly wasn't forgetting; not with the struggles I deal with on a daily basis in terms of mobility, but perhaps God was REMINDING me to TRUST Him. It was as if the skies parted and a James Earl Jones type voice thundered, "REMEMBER they said you'd never walk again. REMEMBER what I have brought you through." Wow. Here I was focusing on everything going wrong in my life, that I had forgotten all that was going RIGHT! How dangerous and habit forming that can become!

     I remember my blessings, no matter how big or small. I often write them out, and before I know it I have a list a page long in two columns! Upon doing this I quickly feel guilty for allowing my trials to consume so much of my energy, thoughts, and time. My list usually starts with a Savior who GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME! WoW! I have a friend who gave their life for ME. But it wasn't only for me, it was for you too! How amazing is that? I have a roof over my head, although I am moving soon, but will still have a roof over my head and food in my stomach! I have my LIFE after nearly losing it. I have a puppy whom I love with every inch of my heart. I have a car to get me places and gas in it's tank! The list goes on and on and on...

     So my friend, are you counting your blessings or your curses? According to Switchfoot, "every blessing comes with a set of curses," and I don't deny that to be true, but which are you choosing to focus on? I know, easier said than done. Trust me, I KNOW. But there comes a time when you need to pick up the pieces. For me, that time is now. It's a slow process, but I will rest in the assurance of my Father and He will hide me under the shelter of His mighty wings. After all, He was made for love. WE were made for love. And that's where we belong; "smack dab in the middle of His love." (Quote from The Shack)