Count Them!!

Good morning my friends!! I hope you are having a great day so far, even if it is early. I woke up counting my blessings this morning and I hope you did too. Each one of us has something, at least one thing that we for which we can thank God. Even if it's just to say that you had food this morning or you have eyesight. Trust me those two things are a great place to start. Once you say "thank you, God" for one thing you'll see that many more will flood your mind and before you know it, you'll be thanking Him for even the can of pop in the fridge, lol.

I know that's how it is for me. Every night when I lay down to sleep, I always thank Him for my soft mattress, my three pillows and my comforter. You may have just shaken your head and wondered why I do that.

I'll explain.

Three and half years ago, I didn't have a soft bed, or pillows or blankets. I was sleeping in my car with my son and my puppy. I had just left an abusive relationship and had nowhere to go. But I had an SUV that he hadn't taken from me yet, and that was to be our "home" for the next three weeks. If you've ever slept in a car, you know the seatbelt latch is a nightmare, lol. That thing digs into your hip, your back or your leg, it doesn't matter what position you take. And although I'm very short, my legs were still longer than the vehicle and I had to lay cramped up each night. AND it was March 20th, and the snow was still coming down that year. One night it was twelve degrees. I honestly thought we were going to freeze to death. I would start the car, let it run and then turn it off when it got warm enough to get back to sleep. I bought a pack of bologna with what little money we had and left it on top of the vehicle to stay cold so it wouldn't ruin. We used gas station bathrooms during the day and the grass at night wherever we happened to be parked at the time.

Anyway, I came out of that mess with the help of the family resource center in that town and was able to slowly climb back up and get on my own two feet. The first night they put us in a safehouse was the first night I began my tradition of thanking God for my bed, my pillows and blankets. So that began a nightly ritual of also thanking Him for food, my house, my clothes, etc.

Now, I didn't just tell you that to try and evoke sympathy from anyone because it happened, it's over and I've moved on. Also, it was very hard but it changed me as a person and built character.

But I said it so you could understand there are SO many things you can say thank you for. You have so many blessings to count. If you start with just one, I promise it will lead to many, many more. You'll see that you might not be able to stop once you get started. Give it a try and just see how many you can name today.

God is good to all of us. Not just me or you or the guy down the street. He is good to us all. As you read this, you may be battling a terrible disease and you may be wondering what you have to be thankful for. I can say for sure that I don't know what you're going through personally and I know it has to be hard, but even in that, can you look around and maybe say thank you for the family you have that is standing with you as you battle? My prayers are with those who fight each day to live.

Maybe you're going through a divorce right now and you don't feel there's anything for which you can be grateful at this time. I know that's hard, because I have been through a divorce and there are times when all you can do is cry. Maybe you've lost everything like I did and you don't know what you're going to do. Start by saying thank you for the one thing you have left. Even if it's your shoes on your feet.

I'm not trying to make light of anyone's troubles, nor do I mean to sound callous or flippant today. But rather I'm trying to help you see that you can find ONE thing at least for which you be thankful.

I promise that if you say one thing and have a grateful heart, your days will run a lot smoother. Give it a try. Start where I did even, thank God for your bed you slept in last night. That will lead to many others.

I love you all and my prayer is that you all will be blessed and feel those blessings.

Remember to work hard and Dream Big!!

Much love,

Christy