Count Your Many Blessings

Last night my husband told me some very disconcerting information. Not the type of stuff you want to hear before you head off to bed. I was reminded of a song by Bing Crosby: Count Your Blessings. The chorus says:

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

I fall asleep counting my blessings

I have a tendency of looking at the dark side of life. I don’t know if it has to do with being bipolar or not; but I focus on, dwell on, and fixate on all those things that drive me batty. I don’t know what your obsessions are but mine are the money that keeps dwindling away, my children who struggle, my lack of job security, my past mistakes, my parent’s health, and my own health.

So last night I decided I would count my blessings, not that I ever count sheep. I fell asleep thinking about all the wonderful people and things I have in my life.

- I have a loving husband who, even though he drives me crazy at times, is always my rock. He has loved me unconditionally through some of the most difficult trials of our life. He has loved me like Christ loves the church.

- I have four amazing children who are doing their best to succeed in this world. They have loved me through many storms as well. I am blessed that they call me on the phone and come to see me when they can. I love that they treat me like their first responder, even if it is when they are afraid of driving home from work in the snow or they need me to babysit.

- I also have two wonderful stepsons who I consider my own. They have loved me like a mother and have allowed me to be a part of their lives.

- I have two loving parents who are a big part of my life. I still call my mother when I need strength. My mom was the closest thing to an angel when I was going through ovarian cancer. She made me tapioca pudding when my mucositis was so bad that I could barely eat because of the sores in my mouth and gastrointestinal tract. She drove every three weeks from New York to Vermont to take care of me and the children. My dad was always a good provider for our family and he had a very rebellious daughter to put up with and he did.

- I have nine grandchildren (almost 10) and I feel so blessed to have them in my life. When I think of the years I struggled to have children and now I am surrounded by them and their own children, I cannot fathom the goodness of God toward me.

- I have friends who I love so deeply. They are always there for me whether it is to pray for me or stand by my side when I am struggling.

- I have a wonderful church with a spirit-filled pastor who leads his flock in a profoundly unique and encouraging way. His wife is a kind and gentle spirit and makes you feel so welcomed and loved.

- I love teaching. It is my passion and I have such wonderful opportunities to share my love for writing and to encourage students in their writing as well.

- This semester, although I haven’t had as many classes as I would like, it has afforded me the opportunity to spend my time writing, which is my second passion.

So when I count my many blessings, why should I focus on the cares of this world? Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” If I lay my worries at the foot of the cross, I don’t need to carry the burdens this life keeps throwing at me. I can leave them. I can let go. I can relax in knowing that God has everything under control. I Peter 5:7 reiterates that thought: “Cast all your cares upon him for he cares for you.” He cares. He really does.

So from now on, I am going to put my head on the pillow at night and count my blessings. Here is a perfect song by Johnson Oatman, Jr. to end this post.

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 has done.

o Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

No Compromise

When I think of compromise, I am reminded of the old Lay’s Potato Chip commercials. Their slogan: I bet you can’t eat just one. How often do we fool ourselves into believing that we can dabble in the delicacies of sin without falling prey to the whole smorgasbord? Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man [or woman] who has no control over his spirit.” I admit I am an impulsive person. Couple that fact with having a conscience that sears to the very core of my being, I can be quite a mess. My impulsivity has driven me to do some pretty foolish things in my life, and my conscience has burned every one of those sins like a tattoo on my heart. When I was praying a few days ago about my spoils of war that sit like trophies on my mantle of regret, God said, “No compromise.”

If I am the Bride of Christ, there should be no compromise. I should be faithful to Him and His calling. Jon Piper said, “Christ didn’t die to redeem a bride who would keep him on the porch while she watched television in the den.” Our whole life should be centered on God. No compromise. I will say it again, “No compromise.” That goes for everything in our lives that is NOT pleasing to Him.

How often do we do things in secret or tell half-truths? What about watching or reading trash? Has anyone who is married slipped off to have coffee with an old flame or talked to them on the phone? What about saying things in your home that you wouldn’t dream of saying in church? We are compromising every time we do it. We are tempting ourselves with that one potato chip, and eventually we are doing more things in secret and telling HUGE lies. We are watching and reading trash more than the Word of God. We are having an affair. We are cursing more or gossiping. No compromise church.

When God spoke to me about No Compromise, I knew it was important to listen. I knew that I had to choose this day whom I was going to serve. Well, I choose to live for God. I choose to live my life in my home the same way I do in my life at church. I choose to be open and only tell the truth. I choose to refrain from doing things in secret simply because I would be judged if I did them in the open. I choose to honor God by only having healthy relationships. I choose no compromise. How about you?