Still Counting...

Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done!
Count your blessings!
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done!

Lord, I thank You that my dishwasher still works like a champ. I thank You that my washer and dryer are still running fine, too. Thank You for continued electricity all winter long. Thank You the heat pump is still pumping! Thank You that Gracie's flu finally left her fever-free! Thank You that Rod's flu (that he surely caught from his overly exuberant kissy daughter) finally left him fever-free! Thank You that Rachel's sore throat was only that and not STREP throat! Thank You, Lord for continued provision, protection and peace!

Thank You for the new car. Thank You for giving us a way to move on from our old car that seemed to be plagued with the mysterious disease of "I might not wanna start this time"! Thank You for all the comforts of home and family. Thank You for full cabinets, fridge, freezer and bellies. Thank You for not just one but two dogs. Thank You that they are good dogs, house-trained and loving.

Thank You for giving me a husband who loves You more than he loves me. Thank You for giving me two beautiful daughters...so different, but so wonderfully charming in their own sweet ways. Thank You for filling me with prayers for all of them. Thank You for letting me have a good relationship with my mom who loves You so much. Thank You, LORD, for hearing her prayers and helping her in so many ways. Thank You for Your loving faithfulness to each of us. Thank You for giving me sisters who encourage me and brothers who inspire me. Thank You for friends who love me and make me laugh and cry! Thank You for the gift of loving my neighbor as myself, too, LORD. That is all due to You!

Thank You, LORD, for opening wide the door to part-time employment for me. Thank You for giving me the strength and stamina to do the job. Thank You, LORD, for giving me favor at that job. When two people were let go last week, they kept me...the newest employee. That was YOU, LORD. Only You! Thank You, also, LORD, that my new boss gave me one extra day off each week, in addition to the Saturdays and Sundays that I requested at my interview. Thank You that she gave me an extra hour off each day, too, so I can go home and rest up in expectancy of my daughters' arrival home from school.

Thank You, LORD, for the Spring-like weather You have blessed us with this past week. It's been such a blessing to all of us, LORD. Thank You for Your precious birds, squirrels, blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and the hope of the blooming of those tightly bound bright green daffodils buds. I look forward to seeing Your handiwork explode there beneath the giant maple tree in vivid yellow whenever You call them to unfurl!

Thank You for encouraging my husband with his upcoming trip to his hometown in California. Thank You for putting it on the pastor's heart there to invite my Rod to preach three services in his childhood church. Please put Your Holy Words into his heart and mouth and may Your precious name be glorified and magnified when he tells Your people there the good news of The Risen Savior Who makes His people whole!

Thank You, LORD JESUS, for ripping off the blinders from my eyes. Thank You for filling me with Your precious Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, that all of my life I longed deep down inside to understand Your word and You took pity on me and revealed Yourself to Me. Thank You for causing my eyes to see and my ears to hear. Thank You for giving me a heart that pants for You. Thank You for forgiving me and making me new, for giving me a future and a hope. Thank You, my sweet and wonderful Father, for never leaving me or forsaking me...even when I've resisted You and You've had to come after me with a bit and a bridle. Thank You for coming after me. Thank You for not letting me run off. Thank You for hearing me when I call. Thank You for loving me and letting ME LOVE YOU.

Thank You for the hope that You keep simmering in my heart that one day, one day...one perfect day I will behold You with my own eyes and hold You in my arms at long last! Thank You, MY GOD, for all You've done for me and mine. Thank You for all You are doing and thank You for all You're going to do.

My heart is bulging with gratitude for You, Your Word, Your ways. My soul is filled with a peace that passes all understanding. Thank You for choosing me to receive You.

















"My soul magnifies the LORD,
And my spirit has rejoiced
in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly
state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all
generations will call me
blessed.

For He who is mighty has done
great things for me,
And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who
fear Him
From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His
arm;
He has scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty
from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with
good things.
And the rich He has sent away
empty.

He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed
forever."
Luke 1:46-55