We Are So Blessed

Sunday morning, as I went about my routine of cleaning house while I got ready for church, I kept humming the tune to "We Are So Blessed." Before long, I was outright singing as loudly as I could, like I was in the shower putting on a concert. I haven't heard this song in years, so I kept jumbling the words and mixing lines from the verses into the chorus and vice versa, but it didn't matter. This song is very special to me because I remember singing it with my daddy when I was young (his voice is what I hear in my head when I'm humming it to myself). I was still humming as I drove to church. When the offertory hymn was played, I smiled and started humming again, this time with the organist as she softly played this song. Do you ever have one of those moments when you suddenly feel God's presence in the smallest details of life? That's what this moment was for me.

Why that song had popped into my head that morning had never crossed my mind; however, as the organ played, I knew God had instilled"We Are So Blessed" into my morning to remind me just how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful life!! I have a husband who would move mountains to make me happy, parents who love me unconditionally and have always shown me that love, one set of grandparents still living who live close enough that I can visit and spend as much time with them as possible, a job that is closer to my dream job than I ever imagined I'd actually find, a home that makes me smile just imagining new ways to decorate it for each holiday season, a view from my porch that sometimes brings tears to my eyes because I feel so close to nature and can bask in the beauty of God's creation, puppy dogs who shake with excitement as they try to jump into the driver's side of my SUV when I get home from work every day, and so much more I can't possibly list it all. Yet most of all, I have a Father who loves me, who has forgiven me time and time again, who had a plan for me even when I wouldn't listen and tried to make my own path, who carried me when I couldn't walk on my own. I recently hung the "Footprints" poem above my bed to remind me of that last blessing: when I need Him most, He will carry me through. Whatever the trial, whatever the hardship, whatever the stress, whatever the pain, He will carry me through. How blessed I am to be a child of God!!! Like the song says, I just can't find a way or the words that can say thank you, Lord, for Your touch. Take it all everything. Lord, I love you so much.

We Are So Blessed

"We are so blessed, by the gifts from Your hand
We just can't understand why You loved us so much.
We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say
Thank You, Lord, for Your touch.

CHORUS:
When we're empty You fill us 'til we overflow
When we're hungry You feed us, and cause us to know.
We are so blessed, take what we have to bring,
Take it all, everything, Lord, we love you so much.

We are so blessed by the things You have done,
The victories we've won and what You've brought us through.
We are so blessed, take what we have to bring, Take it all everything,
Lord, we bring it to You."

Thankful God Is in Control

Today, I am thankful for my "little" brother. When I think of how special my brother is to me and how I'd hurt if anything ever happened to him, I think of the story of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha both loved their brother dearly, and they knew that Jesus was the only one who could heal Lazarus when he fell ill. When Lazarus died, their hearts were crushed; yet, when Martha ran out to meet Jesus as he finally arrived, her faith in Him did not waiver. In John 11:21-22, Martha says to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

Martha knew that God was in control of the situation, that He knew the pain she felt and He had a bigger plan than she could see. I want to be like Martha in the face of tragedy. I want to completely trust God no matter how much I hurt, no matter how bleak the circumstances. In Psalm 30: 4, 11-12, we read, "Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning... You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."

Today, a tornado swept through the mobile home park where my brother lives. I saw the tornado warning online as I was checking the weather and immediately called to make sure he was in a safe place. He was, thank goodness. Fortunately, the damage should be repairable. Other homes weren't so lucky. My brother found a friend to come pick him up on campus and take him home, where he found a tree lying on his house and his car damaged in the street. The house across the road had a tree go completely through it, as did others. Thank goodness this storm hit during the day when all of the residents - college students - were in class! I just keep thinking, "If this had happened yesterday or tomorrow, he'd have been at home." But it was today and he wasn't home, and I'm so thankful.

I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to him. I miss him a lot because he's off at college, and I wish all the time that I could see him more often. Today I have been forced to realize that he's all grown up and can take care of himself, a fact about which I'm not sure how I feel. My brother is the most laid-back person I know, and I admire him for so many reasons. He stands out from the crowd because he does what is right, even when it means being left out of the "fun" and being treated differently. He chooses to live for Jesus, which I know has been difficult in college since so few of his peers choose the same path. He is the most talented person I know, and that isn't just my sibling prejudice talking either. He really is an amazing singer and pianist, and I want to tell him how special he is every chance I get so he never doubts his potential to do great things.

The Blessing of Rescuing a Pet

Oh my sweet Lizzy. That first month with a little dog in the house - one with a nervous bladder because she had been mistreated - was not a good month to say the least. Aaron was gone the whole month training to deploy, which made tensions high.  Learning to be completely responsible for another living being was difficult for me... especially when I found myself scrubbing carpet more often than not. I almost changed my mind about that little dog in the beginning, but by the end of the month, her company was something on which I relied.

I can't imagine going through Aaron's deployment without Lizzy's companionship. That nervous little dog has completely stolen my heart :-) In fact, everybody loves her! My grandmother even scolded Aaron for coming to visit without bringing her granddaughter... and she was talking about Lizzy, not me!! My mama keeps a bowl ready for when Lizzy comes to over, and my daddy can't wait for her to jump into his lap. Her daddy spoils her the most, though. There is something so cute about how they both fall asleep in his chair.

We have adopted three other abandoned dogs, and each new pet comes with challenges. One ate out of the trash can for a while and was scared of everyone, one likes to roam too much, and one chews up everything! However, I highly recommend to everyone to adopt a pet. Take the time to nurture your pet and teach them how to behave, and you will reap the rewards of a loving companion. My scared trash-eater is now loving and gentle to adults (he's still terrified of kids), my wanderer loves curling up on her chair and getting her picture made, and my chewer (who still chews, but I've just taken away anything she can damage) is the sweetest puppy who just craves loving attention.

I am so thankful for my pets.

The Blessing of an Active Father

In today's society, so many children are growing up without a good father figure. As children of God, we have a wonderful Father who loves us unconditionally and is always by our side. Fortunately, I also have a wonderful earthly father. My daddy not only taught me to shoot a jumpshot and dribble left handed, but he also went to every one of my basketball games for 6 years- JV and Varsity. He understands me more than most dads would, he listens when I need a helpful ear, and he tells me I'm beautiful like I am still five years old in pigtails.

Most of all, I am thankful my daddy is a man who stands out in this society. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." My daddy has practiced this verse my whole life. He has always stood up for Jesus and lived the way Jesus would want him to live, even when he was the only one.  My daddy doesn't have to talk about God for people to know he's a Christian. He doesn't have to carry a Bible around and read scripture for those around him to know he is different and respect him for it. He doesn't have to tell them how to live like Jesus... He shows them. Sometimes, my daddy's faithfulness means he gets left out of worldly "fun." Some people are uncomfortable around him because he doesn't drink, smoke, or carry on. His faithfulness, whether these people realize it or not, makes them conscious of the fact that God would not approve of their actions.

Matthew 5: 14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."



I am so thankful for my daddy. I love him so much!

The Blessing of a Mom and Friend

For years, I've turned to my mama when things were going wrong. I always knew that she'd be there for me no matter what because she was my mom. She's been there for me every day of my life, a steadfast rock. Sometimes, her constant presence and love has made me neglect to think that not everyone has what I have. Not everyone has a caring mother to whom he or she can turn. Not everyone has memories of family dinners, even if it's just pizza or chicken fingers and mac-n-cheese, especially not family dinners several times a week. Not everyone remembers a clean house - except my room, of course - and clean clothes every day. Not everyone has a mom who stays up at midnight to wash a basketball or cheerleading uniform that needs to be clean for the next day like mine did time and time again, for which I never even said, "Thank you." How ungrateful I was as a teenager, complaining that my mom was in my business and telling me to clean my room, when other teens would have given everything for a mom at all, especially one who cares about their happiness and well-being.

My blessing goes even further. My mama is my friend, and I wish so badly to be there for her when she needs me just like she has always done for me. She deserves that and so much more. I hope the day never comes when she needs me to take care of her daily because I know she wouldn't want that, but I would happily be there and do whatever she needed. After all that I've put her through, I know I wouldn't be here without her dropping everything and running to my rescue. I love you, Mama. I hope you know that.

The Blessing of a Supportive Spouse

This Thanksgiving season, I want to first give thanks for my wonderful husband. While my family is stuck with me by blood, my husband has chosen to walk with me hand in hand through the ups and downs of this journey. His love for me is so obvious (most days, anyway) that I believe one would have to be blind to not see it. Many people claim to love their spouse, but I don't believe many men show that love like my husband does. He even washes dishes and clothes occasionally!! While I am so thankful for his love, most of all I am thankful for his whole-hearted support. I've struggled since our marriage to find God's plan for me as both a wife and a career woman. When we got married, I felt that I couldn't be both. I chose to be a wife. However, I quickly realized that being a wife -- as wonderful as it is -- was not the sole purpose for which God intended me. I've struggled to figure out His plan on my own and make something fit my life, my schedule, my finances... nothing seemed to work. Through it all, my husband has supported my pursuit of whatever goal I had at the time. His wish is for me to be happy and fulfilled. How wonderful is that??? Now, as I embark on my writing career, I wonder if I would have ever had the courage to do this were it not for his support.


The following poem is one of my favorites (I just wish I'd written it!). It was printed in our wedding program because this is how I always wanted to love and be loved in return. I am so blessed to have found this type of love!!

"How do I love thee?" by Elizabeth B. Browning

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

I love you, Aaron.