Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

As I look forward to Thanksgiving, I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns.  Whether or not you are familiar with this hymn, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the words and ask the Lord to show you how to Count Your Blessings this year.

When upon life's billow 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 hath done.

Are you discouraged?  When we choose the career of motherhood, we may feel as if our life is like a balloon being tossed about in a violent storm.  We like the freedom of not being "tied down", but we may be struggling to find our way without the daily structure of a "real job".  It can be discouraging to think of all our friends, or the daily sense of accomplishment.  However, I encourage you to sit down and make a list of the blessings that God has brought your way through this decision to be at  home.  I hope that your children will be on top of your list, named one-by-one.  But, what are the other blessings?  My list would include:  spontaneous kisses from my four-year-old, picnics at the park, baking cookies, and watching the kids' baseball games.  I hope, as you look at your list, you are pleasantly surprised by all that 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 be singing as the days go by.

Are you burdened with a heavy load?  Motherhood isn't easy.  We often feel we are carrying the load all by ourselves, especially when no one seems to understand how difficult it is some days just to keep up with the cooking and cleaning and diapers and dishes.  Do you know that Christ wants to carry your burden for you?  When you give your load to the Lord, you will be able to see your blessings more clearly. So, rather than fretting and fussing about the cross you must bear, I invite you to gather your children around, count your many blessings, and sing 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

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Has envy ever caused you to re-evaluate your choice to be at home?  Material desires can be one of the most difficult areas to deal with for mothers who must make great financial sacrifices to stay home with their children.  As we dig through the cluttered racks at the thrift store, we wonder what it would be like to shop at the fancy department stores.  As we try to be creative with ground beef for the seventh time this week, we dream about an unlimited grocery budget . . . or dinner at an expensive restaurant.  As we  scour garage sales to replace our worn-out couch, we think of the gorgeous sofa and loveseat we saw in the showroom window of the local furniture store.  If any of those thoughts ever enter your mind, push them away as fast as they come.  Money cannot buy our happiness.  Christ has promised to provide for all our needs here on earth.  And then, if we have asked Him to be Lord of our life, He has promised us a room in our Father's House for all eternity  What more could we ask for?  I pray that you count these promises amongst your finest blessings.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving this week, why don't you have your family compile a list of the many blessings God has given you this year?  Then, as you gather around the table on Thanksgiving Day, you can read the list together as you count your many blessings and see what God has done.

Hymn:  "When Upon Life's Billows"

by Johnson Oatman Jr., 1897

Originally published in the Hearts at Home Magazine in November 2000.