Count Your Blessings

In general I am a pretty happy person. But when I get stressed, I grumble. I’m sure my husband would (politely) attest to that fact. It's something I'm working on. But in the last few weeks, God has really been whispering to me and reminding me to stop, slow down, and take notice of all my blessings. It started the other day when I was pulling out of the driveway on my way to work, grumbling because I was tired and wanted to stay home with my baby. Then I looked up and saw all the beautiful fall colors. It seemed like overnight my neighborhood had exploded in amazing reds, oranges, and yellows…God’s palette for my favorite season and a reminder of his presence.

And I have done a lot of grumbling about the difficulties of a new baby…being tired, the feedings at midnight…and 2:00...and 4:00. But the other night, as I was rocking him, I realized that this was IT. This was the time I had been waiting for, the blessing we had prayed for, and I needed to savor every moment.

Then there is Thanksgiving Day, which is at my house this year. At first I was grumbling about all the things I HAD to do….the shopping, the cleaning, the cooking. Then God gently reminded me “Jeannie, look what you GET to do!” I get to shop for food and prepare it for my family. I get to spend quality time with those that I love. My house will not be perfectly clean or perfectly decorated. The food will be good, but not fancy. But my family will be together, happy and fed, and that is all that matters.

This is what I’m most thankful for this year: