"Name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done." It's that time of year again, though I must say that this is a good exercise to do every day, especially when you are feeling troubled or unhappy. So I am going to start a list. Feel free to jump in and add your thoughts.
I haven't written much lately simply because I haven't had the time. The positive side of that situation is the reason: I have a part time job that keeps me at an office two days a week, with other work done from home. Between my job, my family, and my church work, I have little time to write. BUT I have a job that I really enjoy that brings a little extra income into the household budget. AND I have a wonderful mother who takes care of my children on the days that I work at the office. AND my boss is very kind about making sure I don't overdo and neglect family. All of these are amazing blessings for which I am extremely grateful.
My children and husband are healthy and happy (well, discounting when my husband's football team loses). Our daughter, having protested and complained vigorously about having to go to a physical school after being homeschooled, is eager to go each day and has made new friends. Our son loves his preschool and even gets upset when I, and not his grandmother, picks him up. My husband, who doesn't always like what he does for a living, does like his company, the short commute, and the hours that allow him to be home with us more of each day.
We have a great church where we can serve, are fed spiritually, and have made some new friends. I just found out recently that these new friends (they are new members to our church) actually live near us, have a daughter our daughter's age, and their youngest daughter goes to the same preschool our son does. I got goosebumps when I heard that. God is absolutely amazing.
The kids and I were recently in a car accident (no one hurt), and we were concerned that my car would be totaled, which would mean we would get very little from the insurance company (the car is old with many miles on it) and would have to buy another one. But God was good and led us to a repair shop that kept costs low so that the car would not be totaled.
We still have our Tiki Bar Friday nights. I know this may sound like an unimportant thing, but with small kids, finding time to spend together as a couple can be hard. We both look forward to these times at the end of the week. I would tell anyone who has a crazy busy life that it is well worth it to carve out this time with your spouse. Make it a standing date each week, if possible.
We are housed (it may not look like Better Homes & Gardens, but it's comfortable, sound, and home), fed (simple, wholesome meals and more snacks than my waistline needs), clothed (even if we don't have the latest $500 boots, which I wouldn't buy even if I had the money), and much, much more (may I suggest cell phones, cable TV, more than one car, extras so that we have to declutter more often to keep the basement from overflowing). We can go to church in comfort without worrying about being troubled by government (so far). We have medicines when we need them.
Most importantly, we have a God who cares for us so much that He took the punishment for our sins. We deserve absolutely nothing from Him, and He gives us so much.
Of what do we have to complain?
