Counting My Blessings This Thanksgiving
When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of blessings. As much as I try to be positive and patient in my life.. I know there are times that I focus the negative and seem ungrateful for the richness and fullness in my life. Let's face it.. life is hard. Work doesn't always go right, things break down, expenses & bills pile up, and it just gets overwhelming.
I love the holidays because although we should count our blessings everyday, somehow this season helps up stop and appreciate them even more. The songs on the radio, the smells from my kitchen, the parties, the tv shows and commercials.. it makes me weepy!
I love this post from Jones Life and made me think about really counting my blessings. Even the small ones.. when I like Ethan started mentally calculating them.. I was overwhelmed by the simple everyday goodness of God!
How grateful I am for a Godly husband. How he works to take care of us, our home, our boys, and lead our family. I sometimes take him for granted.. what a loving father he is.. my boys are blessed by him too.
My sweet boys are pure simple JOY. They are my heart. Really. I just can't explain how blessed me life is by their tiny little lives. May I never forget the miracle of their birth, the feel of their tiny hands and faces, and the sound of their laughter and giggles. I count them twice :-) They LOVED their "first" real Thanksgiving.. they ate, and ate, and ate, and ate. I thought there was hole or they were dropping food on the floor. So many "mmms" coming from those sweet lips. After lunch, they had tons of fun. Seriously, that really is Cricket "pulling the sleigh" with Beckett on it. One of the funniest things I have ever seen.
I am so grateful to our families. That the boys have amazing grandparents, and great grandparents. That they get to part of ther lives. That they are surrounded by uncles, aunts, and cousins to grow up with that love them deeply. And our extended "family" of friends... Although too many we don't see or talk to enough, you are never far from our thoughts or conversations. I am grateful for all forms of communication that keep us connected while we are so far apart.
I am blessed to have a job. However imperfect it may be that provides health insurance and stability for my boys. We e are blessed to have a home, and a big bed (and an extra bed for when Justin snores :-) We are blessed to have a wonderful church and church family and to be led by an amazing pastor.
But you know, there are so many day to day blessings. I am blessed to see the sunrise. I am blessed to cook dinner for my family.(and blessed that they eat it!) I am blessed by the beauty of God's creation on a daily basis. I am blessed by this amazing country (however imperfect as well) that I can write this blog and talk of my love of God without fear. I am grateful to all the veterans and soldiers who keep us free. I am grateful to all the missionary's all over the world that work to spread the Good News.
This past year has had its ups and downs, it hasn't been easy at times. I think sometimes when you count your blessings, it can seem that you have a charmed life. We have a very real life. Full up ups and downs and highs and lows. Our strength and our blessings come from the biggest blessing of all.. our Saviour! How excited I am to transition to the season that celebrates His birth. I read the word's of this beautiful old hymn that we sang so many times growing up in my small hometown church... did I ever really appreciate the words before? I hope you are blessed today by reading it.
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—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.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
The Riley's
I love the holidays because although we should count our blessings everyday, somehow this season helps up stop and appreciate them even more. The songs on the radio, the smells from my kitchen, the parties, the tv shows and commercials.. it makes me weepy!
I love this post from Jones Life and made me think about really counting my blessings. Even the small ones.. when I like Ethan started mentally calculating them.. I was overwhelmed by the simple everyday goodness of God!
How grateful I am for a Godly husband. How he works to take care of us, our home, our boys, and lead our family. I sometimes take him for granted.. what a loving father he is.. my boys are blessed by him too.
My sweet boys are pure simple JOY. They are my heart. Really. I just can't explain how blessed me life is by their tiny little lives. May I never forget the miracle of their birth, the feel of their tiny hands and faces, and the sound of their laughter and giggles. I count them twice :-) They LOVED their "first" real Thanksgiving.. they ate, and ate, and ate, and ate. I thought there was hole or they were dropping food on the floor. So many "mmms" coming from those sweet lips. After lunch, they had tons of fun. Seriously, that really is Cricket "pulling the sleigh" with Beckett on it. One of the funniest things I have ever seen.
I am so grateful to our families. That the boys have amazing grandparents, and great grandparents. That they get to part of ther lives. That they are surrounded by uncles, aunts, and cousins to grow up with that love them deeply. And our extended "family" of friends... Although too many we don't see or talk to enough, you are never far from our thoughts or conversations. I am grateful for all forms of communication that keep us connected while we are so far apart.
I am blessed to have a job. However imperfect it may be that provides health insurance and stability for my boys. We e are blessed to have a home, and a big bed (and an extra bed for when Justin snores :-) We are blessed to have a wonderful church and church family and to be led by an amazing pastor.
But you know, there are so many day to day blessings. I am blessed to see the sunrise. I am blessed to cook dinner for my family.(and blessed that they eat it!) I am blessed by the beauty of God's creation on a daily basis. I am blessed by this amazing country (however imperfect as well) that I can write this blog and talk of my love of God without fear. I am grateful to all the veterans and soldiers who keep us free. I am grateful to all the missionary's all over the world that work to spread the Good News.
This past year has had its ups and downs, it hasn't been easy at times. I think sometimes when you count your blessings, it can seem that you have a charmed life. We have a very real life. Full up ups and downs and highs and lows. Our strength and our blessings come from the biggest blessing of all.. our Saviour! How excited I am to transition to the season that celebrates His birth. I read the word's of this beautiful old hymn that we sang so many times growing up in my small hometown church... did I ever really appreciate the words before? I hope you are blessed today by reading it.
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—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.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
The Riley's