There is a song lyric that has been in my mind for a few days, and when that happens, I choose to take it as a sign that I need to focus on the deeper meaning and context of the song. The song is written and performed by the lovely Laura Story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
As these lyrics course through my brain and touch my very soul, I feel like I need to focus on the blessings in my life. I often find myself, and maybe you do too, focusing on all the trials in my life. All the things that aren’t going quite like I thought they would. The construction projects that are way behind schedule. The friendships that are tested by betrayal. The to-do list that gains 8 new things for every one thing we accomplish. The diet plan that goes by the way of holiday baking.
When I take the time to think about my blessings, I’m astounded by their number. They are big things, and small little everyday things – but I have blessings too many to truly count. I have my health. I have a roof over my head, and lights that come on in my home. I have food in the fridge and a stove to cook on. I have a lovely car to drive, and the money to fill the gas tank. I have a husband who loves me, even after nearly 24 years together. I have a dog who adores me and makes me laugh everyday. I have a job I love, and work with people I enjoy being around. I have wonderful and generous friends who remind me to live without fear and love without limits. I have an incredible church family who help to refill my cup of blessings each week through fellowship, friendship, and worship. I have a beautiful drive through rural Idaho no matter what direction I head. I have an incredible group of MRKH sisters to join daily in ministry and fellowship, honoring our commitment to faith each and every day through shared prayers and scripture. I have a coffee pot that greets me every morning without fail with a steaming cup of goodness. I have clothes on my back (and front!!! LOL), and shoes on my feet. I have pens and paper to write on and with, but also a computer and printer. I have a voice to sing praise and worship. I have cosmetics and jewelry to help me feel beautiful, and glasses to be able to see the world. This morning on my commute, I was blessed to see a herd of nearly 100 elk!!! I have an umbrella and waterproof coat to keep the rain off.
But more than anything…above all these worldly things…I have a loving, patient, kind Savior. I have faith that His word, His love, His promise is true. If I have my God, I have everything I need, and more.
Have you counted blessings lately? Have you thanked God for them?
Don’t hide your light! Let is shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all the world to see, so that they will praise your Heavenly Father. – Matthew 5:15-16