Today I walked past our family piano and noticed the cute square of words, "Count Your Blessings". I noticed this as I was feeling a bit sad, not only a little sad and self-absorbed with my own insignificant life inconveniences, but sad for other people who are experiencing REALLY BIG life challenges. Sometimes life will get you down (and it doesn’t help when the sun is hiding behind the clouds either) BUT nonetheless, all of us are truly blessed. When I get in this kind of mood I am realizing that it doesn’t help to sabotage myself with feelings of guilt for thinking negatively, rather I just need to stop and count my blessings – name them one by one…of course I will never be able to name them all, but my heart is inclined today as follows:
- BREATH: I recently had the opportunity to feel a lack of oxygen. When things were back to normal, I was humbled as I realized that we really are nothing more than the dust of the earth. We are entirely dependant on a loving Heavenly Father who grants us our daily breath.
- TRUE DOCTRINE & SCRIPTURES – Ancient & Modern: Last Friday, I attended a "scripture read-in" with Alexis for YW. We read the entire book of Mosiah. As I immersed myself in the words of the scriptures I felt as if I were having a spiritual feast. The words I heard and saw were a great comfort to me and I thought of the iron rod Nephi tells us about – the rod that leads us to the love of God. Why do I take this huge blessing for granted? How can I afford to sacrifice feeling the Love of God for the "other stuff"? I also have come to recognize what an anchor the Prophets and Apostles are for me. The counsel offered at General Conference is truly the word of God for our day. What a giant blessing to know the purpose of life and the way back to our Heavenly Father’s presence.
- COMFORTS: A warm house, a soft bed, good food to eat, a car to drive me where I want to go, stability, nice people all around me, loving family, a free country, getting to stay home with my children each day, opportunities to learn at my own leisure, etc…
- MUSIC: It is the source of much joy in my life. It is a quick fix to a sad day, and the cherry on top of a good one. My soul craves it! Funny thing that I am only mediocre at it, but find it so healing. I am participating in the Turkey Choir this year. It is a choir made up of 140+ community members and is directed my a master musician. Each time I leave I feel like I am floating home on a cloud. The challenge of learning the music, the sound that is created by common people, the instruction received by a naturally gifted conductor is like going home to a place I want to be. I hope I make the choir in heaven.
- HEALTH: Lily noticed a stitchery that I have on my bathroom counter, it says, "Hold out your hands to feel the luxury of the sunbeams. -Helen Keller" Lily recognized Helen Keller’s name and we both thought for a minute about how amazing a sunbeam would feel to a person who couldn’t see or hear. Imagine that! Good health is definitely something easily taken for granted, and greatly appreciated on my part.
- HOLY GHOST: I feel like the Holy Ghost is one of the best gift I will ever receive in this life. As I have thought about it over the years, I have come to cherish it more and more. I am a person who needs consistency and dependability, I know that if I do my part I will never be let down by this special gift given to me from my Heavenly Father. It always fits, it never wears out, and I will always be the right age to feel its power.
- HOME: A place I always want to be because of the people tucked in behind its doors. It is a refuge from the world of cares and a place I feel safe and loved.
Today, now that I have counted a few of my blessings amid the insignificant conflicts of my own life, my heart is left to smile.
"So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all."(Count Your Blessings, Hymn # 241)
Comments:
michelle said…
Thanks Jodi, we are so blessed and it’s way too easy to see the other side. Tanks for the reminder of the good.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 1:55:19 PM
Bruce and Sharon said…
Nice thoughts. Thanks for reminding us all to notice the simple everyday things that make our lives so meaningful. It’s a great life we live here in Rexburg.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 6:30:21 PM
Stephen said…
When I count my blessings I have to count you several times because of the several ways you bless my life. I am always touched by your words of comfort and love.
Sunday, November 15, 2009 5:36:33 PM