“Many, O LORD my God are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 When life deals you a bitter blow and you can’t sleep because your mind is filled with worries and whys that whirl around in your head like a swarm of gnats that won’t let you rest then deliberately change your focus from the present to the blessings from God in the past. A few years ago I decided to make a list of some of the best blessings that I have known and am thankful for. Yet each time I would try to make a list I found like David said in his psalm that “they would be too many to declare.” Now when I feel stressed and anxious about the future just reading my list relaxes me and fills me with peace knowing that my God is a great and awesome God whose love never fails.
At the top of my list of blessings would have to be my personal relationship with Jesus who is my Best Friend and Savior. I am also so very blessed to have 4 children and 8 grandchildren which my dear husband and I get to enjoy most every week. And now to the list I would like to include some of the precious memories of times I have spent with them.
1. When my daughter was only four, I helped her plant a tiny twig of a pine tree. When she turned seven, she helped me plant more than 200 tiny pine tree twigs and together we loved and cared for them through flood and drought. It doesn’t seem so long ago and yet now they have become a fragrant forest and she is a beautiful young woman with little children of her own.
2. I have watched my grandchildren sleep snuggled close to me and listened to them giggle when they’re tickled. And I have heard them pray and talk to God with childlike faith knowing that their heavenly Father will care for them just like a loving Daddy.
3. I’ve seen the beauty of a deer followed by her fawn crossing our back yard and once my grandchildren found a baby fawn. In springtime tiny waterfalls bring music to my secret garden in the woods and I have listened to the crickets sing and watched the evening fireflies rise up spreading over meadow mists like a million tiny Christmas lights. And with my children I have watched the stars come out while making wishes and hoping for a
shooting star.
4. I’ve pulled the sack from a newborn pup and watched its mother lick and warm it into life. And I have seen a newborn colt stand up on wobbly legs and later dance across the grass to the music of the wind.
5. I found a Sea Horse near the shore and I carried it out to the deep and watched it swim away and I’ve rescued many starfish stranded on the beach. I’ve seen a double rainbow and the unfailing love of God in wing like clouds that overshadow me as I travel down life’s way. 6. At midnight I have rafted down a river in Alaska and seen a glorious sunset reflected in my true love’s eyes as we watched eagles flying home. And I have seen the majesty and splendor of the snow capped mountains and heard the mighty roar of giant waterfalls. I have watched as storms rolled in across the
ocean and felt the gale force winds and heard the crash of giant waves. And I have also listened for the still small voice of God and been rewarded in the silence.
7. I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit in my life and praying for a miracle discovered that what seems to be impossible is possible with God. And I have seen the glory of God from sunrise to sunset and felt the joy of His Presence deep within my heart and soul and know that I’ve been blessed.
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:9,10
A few weeks ago I was honored by being nominated for the Versatile Blogger award and I first of all want to thank my friend at newviewfromhere.wordpress.com for his kind words and nomination. In receiving this award, I have been asked to: (and the same goes for you)
- In a post on your blog, nominate up to 15 more fellow bloggers for The Versatile Blogger Award.
- In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to them in this post.
- Share 7 things about yourself that most people don’t know.
- In the same post, include this set of rules.
- Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.
I have decided to nominate 7 blogs for the Versatile Blogger Award because each of these 8 have blessed my heart over and over again with their posts. There are many other blogs that I love reading as well, but I think most of them have already received this award or do not have the time to follow the list of instructions that go with it. I have included a list of blogs that I follow at the top of this post.
Here is a list of my nominees:
- altarofheaven.wordpress.com
- charinabrooks.wordpress.com
- godthang.wordpress.com
- jadedbygrace.wordpress.com
- mychainsrgone.wordpress.com
- malouprestado.com
- onemoremorning.wordpress.com
And what about you dear reader. Have you made a blessing list? I would love to hear about it.
This is my favorite post of yours to date! loved reading your blessings and congrats on the award!
So blessed by you, friend.
(and just a heads up–I’m linking to your homepage in one of my posts this week!)
Have a delightful week!
All for Him,
Nikki
Thank you Nikki, your sweet words do so encourage me. I always look forward to your posts and thank you for linking me to one of them. To God be the glory!
Joy
Joy, what an honor for me to be included in your list. Thank you so much. You just don’t know how much it blesses me, after a not so good day….but I still have a lot to thank for and no I haven’t have a blessing list written but my heart and mind is full of it. I am so thankful and grateful for each day…
I will do my best to post about it (versatile blogger award) sometime this week. Just wanted you to know that I am humbled. Thank you so much! Blessings!
Praying that you will have a very much blessed rest of the week!
Joy
Thank you 🙂 I pray that you do too!
Joy just want you to know that I haven’t forgotten about this. I am so sorry for the delay. I will write a blog just specifically about this in a day or two. Blessings!
I understand completely and there is really no reason to rush about this. Being a Christian mother and blogger is more than a full time job. I loved your last post “when being good is not enough.” Most certainly what is really important is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Hope you have a blessed week.
Joy
Amazing how being thankful changes our view of life doesn’t it? So nice to meet you and thanks so much for following Redemptions Beauty. It’s a privilege to have you join along in our community pilgrimmage to Him.
Wow! and what a beautiful journey it is knowing I have Jesus walking with me all the way! I am so thankful to have met another sweet sister and I’ll be praying for you as we walk this journey together. To God be the glory!
Joy
Joy, I enjoy reading about your thankful heart and sharing your beautiful photos! Thank you for your nomination, i will try hard to post this week 😉 I am humbled by your nomination and I glorify our Father in Heaven with you!
in Jesus Christ,
arcelia
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36
Arcelia, I look forward to your posts and love reading your words filled with wisdom and precious prayers. Thank you my sweet sister in Christ. Joy
This was beautiful…..a wonderful reminder for us all. Thank you.
Thank you and thanks for stopping by my post.
Joy
Your list of blessings is so beautiful and personal, Joy. If someone needed examples of the fulfillment and contentment of feeling a part of nature and creation, this would be it. Happy weekend, ~ Lily
Thank you Lily, your sweet words have blessed my heart! Happy weekend to you too, my friend.
Joy
Thank you for a beautiful and inspiring post – this was wonderful to read 🙂
I really feel so blessed to have such sweet encouraging friends reading my posts! Thank you and hugs to you and Calvin.
Joy