Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Count Your Blessings

I am still housebound.  I have some issues with my legs that are keeping me in.  But it is slowly but surely getting better.  Nobody needs to feel sorry for me, though.  I can do a pretty good job of that when left to my own devices!

I was grumping about this morning, working myself up into a "poor pitiful me" state, when this little Sunday School tune popped into my brain:

"Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings,
See what God has done."

So I did.  Came up with a list as long as your arm.  Here are a couple of highlights.

I am blessed with grown children I can count on.  Even though Oldest Son now lives halfway across the country, I know he would be here if I needed him.  My daughters are only a phone call away for me, and will do whatever I ask of them, willingly.  Youngest Son is always available when I need him.

I am blessed with grown children who have good senses of humor.  Whether it is something they post on Facebook that makes me laugh or something they tell me when I talk with them, they can always bring a smile to my face.  That is important.

Even though I am sometimes grumpy about it, I really don't mind so much being housebound.  Were I able to leave right now, you would probably find me right here doing what I am doing.  Being alone doesn't bother me.  Some have to be around people much of the time, but I'm not one of those people.

I have lots of interests.  I bake and preserve food and sew and quilt and crochet and do genealogy research and read and scrapbook and blog and...     I never lack for something to do and I am never bored.

I have a deep and abiding faith that sustains me.  Even when things look dark, I know that when I pray, God hears me.  I know He answers prayer.  Took me a lot of years to figure out, though, that sometimes the answer is "No."

When I finished my list, the grumpy had given way to content.  My legs still hurt.  There are still things I need to do every day to get back my health.  But the good things in my life so far outweigh the bad that grumpy just can't exist for very long.

Well, that and when a son pops in bearing gifts of chocolate, fresh strawberries and a six pack of Coca-Cola in real glass bottles.  That helps, too!

14 comments:

  1. Plus you have internet friends that can pester you when you need them too.

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  2. Paul spoke of being content where and how he was. It's something that we ALL need to work at. I know I do.

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  3. Rob...Sometimes when I can't find anything worthwhile to write about, I grumble to myself that I might as well just shut it down and do something else. And then I think about all of you and even though we have never met in person, I would miss everyone who comments and those where I leave comments. So pester away, my friend. I love it!

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  4. Gorges...For a very long time I was restless and not content with where I was. I always thought the grass was greener elsewhere. Guess what. It's not. It doesn't matter if you live in a palace or a tent. If a person is content with who they are and doesn't worry about what anybody else thinks, then a person can be happy anywhere. Bloom where you're planted works for me.

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  5. It's always important to count one's blessings. Doing that certainly helps to appreciate what you have and stop wasting energy on what you cannot change / control.

    Happiness comes from within - nothing can buy it, and no-one else can provide it.

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  6. Dani...I can add nothing to what you said except a hearty "Amen," and thank you.

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  7. You're doing fine. You're part of a good extended family, you have a good attitude about life, and you always seem to be doing something positive.

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  8. Thanks, Harry. You always seem to know what to say to make a person feel better. I do try to stay positive. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't. But mostly it is good.

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  9. Love you Mom. I hope your legs start feeling better and by spring, you will be able to walk to the park and smell the roses.
    David

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  10. I love you too, Son. I'll just keep working at getting better. Walking in the park and sniffing a rose or two sounds wonderful. Especially if accompanied by a grandchild or two or three!
    Love, Mom

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  11. Our minds can make a washtub into the world, or the world into a washtub. Having conscientious kids is a number one blessing. Having interests comes in at number three. Having the energy to enjoy your interests is right up there at #2.

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  12. Dana...You are absolutely right. I think those are the best blessings of all.

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  13. xoxo...do hope and will pray that your legs will improve!

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  14. Thank you, Mary...I'm sure it will be OK. Just takes time and patience isn't one of my virtues!

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