Count Your Blessings... name them one by one!

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done


When I was growing up we would often sing a song in church called "Count Your Blessings." I always loved the melody of the song, but never really paid attention to the words until I was in middle school. One of my Sunday school teachers told us that if were having a rough time to count our blessings and we would be surprised by how much for which we have to be thankful. She said to literally get out a pen and piece of paper and write down your blessings. And she said don't just write friends or family. Like the song says, name them one by one.  I have never forgotten that piece of advice and and over the years I have followed it. It truly does help me change my attitude and approach life with a sense of gratitude and humility. At least for a short time. I'm sad to say that the gratitude and humility are all too often quickly replaced with selfishness and impatience. I have no patience. I don't like slow drivers. I don't like slow customer service. I don't like slow grocery shoppers (seriously... just pick an apple and get out of my way!). I don't know where my sense of urgency came from, but everything has to happen NOW. I want the trash taken out NOW. I want my leopard print flats for fall NOW. I want to have two incomes NOW. I want a new car NOW. I want a house NOW. Focusing on what what I want (NOW!)  and do not have makes me irritable. It also makes me ungrateful. When I do slow down and count my blessings I am overwhelmed and truly surprised by "what the Lord hath done." I lived a blessed life and to only think about what I do not have, especially when there are others who have nothing, is wrong. So I jotted down my "short-list" of blessings below and you know what - I really am a lucky girl! I know that the house, the new car and the paychecks will come, but until then I plan to enjoy my blessed life NOW.

1. My wonderful, hard-working husband
2. My supportive parents
3. My easy-going brother
4. My sweet grandparents
5. My loving friends (yes, I know I'm suppose to list them, but I don't want to accidentally forget anyone).
6. My fun-loving mother-in-law
7. My steady job
8. My apartment
9. My cute dog


What are your blessings? Start your list. You may be surprised!