Name Them One by One

Sometimes when it rains, it really pours! It seems to be pouring on our neighborhood these days. Our close friends across the street recently lost their mother/grandmother to cancer. That same week a favorite aunt of theirs took her own life. A few houses down, another friend with five young children lost the use of her leg and is now in a wheel chair while her husband is away on military service. Next door to her, we lost a friend with Downs Syndrome to pneumonia. Many neighbors are struggling to make ends meet during this time of economic stress and it doesn't appear that things will improve anytime soon in that area. These are only a few of the struggles that are happening around us.

In light of all this, I don't think Thanksgiving could have come a better time. The words to a familiar hymn come to mind. Many of you can sing along while you read the words. This is the perfect song to have stuck in your head for Thanksgiving!

When upon life's billows 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 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.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count you many blessings; money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven nor you 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 till you journey's end.

So, in the spirit of counting blessings, we each made a small list of some random and simple things we are grateful for.....

JEFFREY:
1-Teacher Nicole
2- Winnie Dog
3- Spider man Band-Aids, for when he bleeds
4- Free balloons from the nice lady at Macey's
5- Bananas
6- and of course, KEYS! KEYS! KEYS!

JONATHAN:

1- Grandma Janice and Grandma Lynette

2- When mommy makes Macaroni-and-Cheese

3- Issac (his teddy bear)

4- Brother and Sister Gibert (sunbeam teachers)

5- French Toast

6- Watching Tom and Jerry

MARY KATE
1- Her white board and dry erase markers

2- El Matador Burritos

3- Her purple, fuzzy blanket

4- Her Tinker Bell lamp (to help her feel safe at night)

5- Webkinz

6- Her piano teacher Beverly

MIKE:
1- That his old lap-top still works

2- Wednesday night basketball

3- His mountain bike and road bike

4- H.D. TV

5- Dental Floss

6- His Sexy Wife (I added that)

ME:

1- When I call Mike's cell phone and he answers with "Hey, Babe!"

2- Mountain Spring Downy, Tide, and Antibacterial Kitchen Spray

3- Ken Burn's documentaries
4- Teacher Nicole (she gives me 6 hours of time to myself each week)

5- My neighbor Michelle who is so pleasant about watching my rowdy boys in a pinch

6- Talking to my mom on the phone almost everyday

With so much difficulty in the world it's very easy to get mired down in it all. Negative thoughts can take over. I think that's why God wants us to always be grateful. Not because he needs our praise, but because being grateful gives us perspective that helps us wade through the bad and focus on the good.

I know these lists we created are made up of mostly small things, but it's good to be grateful for everything. Look around you, you will see so much to be grateful for.

And can I just say, my gratitude is overflowing for the gigantic blessing pictured here:

For all the challenges and joys this family offers, thank you God!