Count Your MANY Blessings

I am so ashamed to admit this, but I like being real here on my blog.  No sugar coating.

I don't pray as much as I should.  It is something that honestly just slips my mind.  

How awful, right?  

He wakes me up each morning, and the first thing I utter should be "Thank You, Lord, for this fresh new start."  I'm really good at making excuses.  However, I can't come up with a good one for this.  Laziness, kids, life... sure.  But it doesn't justify my lack of commitment and devotion to My Maker.

I can beat myself up about my shortcomings, but there's one thing that will never change.  

His love for me.  

Most of the time, my prayer time comes in the late hours of the night.  I'll lie awake in bed, unable to turn off my brain, and that's usually when he prompts my spirit to spend a little time with Him.  It always turns out to be the most comforting and relaxing part of my day.  I have time to really focus on the important things in life.  

While my best friend ever in this lifetime (and that's no exaggeration) snores beside me, I'm able to lay my hand on him, without him ever knowing, and pray blessings over his life.  If anyone deserves them, blessings and rewards, it's him.  He's my rock as we walk through this crazy life together.

Last night, as I lay listening to Jett cough... and cough... and cough, I was able to focus on my babies.  I don't need any reminders of how extremely blessed I am to be given the opportunity to be their mother... to help lead them and guide them in the direction He would have them go.  He's given me a most important job and I pray that I'm able to do my very best.  I can never be the example He intends for me to be without his guidance, strength, and patience.  And that's something I focus most of my prayers on.  I need His guidance to help me make the best decisions when it comes to raising my boys.  I need His strength to face the obstacles that parenting can bring.  And I need His patience, each and every day, to love my boys with my whole heart, showing them compassion and teaching them to love like Jesus loved.

And I can never end a prayer without thanking the Lord for the MANY blessings he has placed on my life.  I cannot even begin to comprehend why He thinks I'm worthy, but I am so glad he does.  Yes, we struggle.  Yes, we live life the hard way sometimes.  We may WANT, but we never NEED.  This year in particular, Jason and I made a pledge to give our time, talents, and treasures as He asked us to do.  It hasn't always been easy.  There have been some months where we really could've used that extra money.  But we stayed faithful and HE HAS BLESSED US.  He never said it would be easy, but He said it would be worth it.  It definitely has been.  

He has blessed our finances, our home, our children, 

and He's given us a thankful heart.

This year, I'm thankful for His MANY blessings... blessings that I haven't even seen happen yet.  Blessings that are too numerous to count.  

Blessings in disguise.

At the close of this year and the start of a new, count YOUR many blessings.
And don't forget to say "Thank You!"


"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18