The other day when I came out of Walgreens I noticed a note on my car underneath its windshield wiper blades. The note said,

Hi Norma,

From an old Friend.

(Smiley Face)

I was mystified. I hadn’t seen anybody. I studied the letters in the note, trying to figure out the writer of the note by the way the letters were formed. The writing looked like a friend’s writing, but she lives over in Clear Lake, almost three hours away. I guess I won’t know who it was that wrote it unless he or she reads this post!

But I’m glad they left a note. At least it engaged me in life for a moment.

Count your many blessings–

Blessings come throughout the day. We see them when we look for them. Count your many blessings is good way to live life. Look up. Today is a beautiful day. That’s one blessing.

Blessings are like gifts that give to us. Many blessings are unnoticed in the daily grind, but the blessings are there regardless of the attention we give them. Blessings are in the little (and big) graces.

Can’t sleep at night? Begin counting the good things from the day. Was it a word, smile, donut, or a gourmet coffee? Did a person help you or smile at you? Did you see a crimson rose? What was it that someone said to you?

I couldn’t figure out who sent me the bouquet–

Soon after my divorce a bouquet was delivered to my house but there was no indication of who had sent it. I enjoyed the spring arrangement, but I couldn’t figure out who was its sender. It was a mystery. A couple of years later a male friend acknowledged that he’d sent the mysterious bouquet to cheer me up. I never would have guessed in a million years that he was the sender.

People love us; that counts. Food is in the pantry; that counts. We have clothes and shoes to wear; that counts. God loves us; that counts. We learn something new; that counts, too. Blessings are all around us, even when we are feeling down, troubled, or anxious.

I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”

Helen Keller

Helen Keller had a reason for grumbling. Instead, she chose to embrace what she possessed. Although both blind and deaf, she had an eager, keen mind. After she made sense of her world through her teacher, she lived a full life of discovery and knowledge. She taught the world how to not feel sorry for itself. She quoted, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” She understood the essence of living without pity, without pitying your circumstances or self. She recognized what she possessed and considered it enough.

We discover a hidden blessedness in blessings. A cup of tea is a blessing. A hug from a friend is a blessing. A comforting thought is a blessing. An unexpected gift is a blessing. A piece of fudge is a blessing. Shelter, food, and clothing, the bare essentials for living, are blessings. We should give thanks to God for blessings that we tend to take for granted.

Blessings may seem small when we live in dangerous places or in trying circumstances. God’s the Keeper. He cares. God says that He sends rain on the just and unjust. He sends sunshine to all of us. Sunshine radiates blessings. When the sunshine seems hidden behind the cloud, we still learn, grown, and change through the trouble. We learn to trust and depend on God to meet us in every trial that comes our way; and that’s not so bad.

A close relative of mine has spent most of last year dealing with an aggressive form of breast cancer. The medical treatment has drained her, and it’s been challenging. But every time I talk to her she shares what God is teaching her. He’s given her verses to cling to, that encourage her on this cancer journey. Her spirit is strengthened by attending to what God has for her. She is more alive in her spirit through the Spirit’s enlivening.

On this New Year’s day, I encourage you to be blessed by your blessings. Your blessings will cheer you up. You will be ready to start the new year afresh. Those of us dealing with something difficult can say that we are blessed even by the circumstance of our trial. God brings good out of the difficult, as only He can.

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.

Johnson Oatman, 1897

Yesterday I was with my sister’s family. Her grandchildren were also present. I was blessed by their presence. Children are one of the blessings from God. The littlest one is under a year. He is a keeper; so sweet you can’t quite get enough of the sweetness. I was blessed and cheered (and I needed some cheering up).

Love to you all. I am thankful for you and your friendship. Keep smiling and count your blessings. (I’m listening to the neighborhood firecrackers as I write this.)

Have a blessed New Year!

Name a blessing that you are thankful for in the comments, and bless us one and all. . .

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