How blessed I am :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net :: #blessed #lakereflection

Let me tell you how blessed I am.

  • Every morning I wake up next to a man who loves me with his whole heart.
  • I pretty much jump out of bed each day because I can.
  • Clothes hang straight in my closet sorted by type and I get to put on something to fit the day and occasion.
  • When I go to the kitchen sink and turn the faucet, out pours sparkling clean water.
  • As I grab my Bible to sit on the couch, I turn and look out the window and see the morning mist rising or dancing across the small lake.
  • Turning the pages of my Bible, I read words of encouragement, and I’m blessed that I have the ability to read and comprehend this amazing letter from God written to me (and you).
  • Later I walk down a rural road, mile after mile, countless types of trees and greenery and wildflowers form a living tapestry around me.
  • Upon my return, I open the fridge, take out a carton of fresh eggs, a block of cheese, and butter.  I pull a pan from the cupboard and place it on a stove which heats almost instantaneously.  My eggs bubble and sizzle as I scramble them with the butter and cheese.
  • We sit down at a table with place mats, dishes, and silverware, and after giving thanks, enjoy a delicious and nourishing breakfast.
  • And my day has begun.

It’s a common experience to many.  But not most.

In between each of the lines there are countless blessings.  Many I take for granted.  So many.

But each of these above I do not take for granted. Not. One. Little. Bit.

You see each of these things is a grace from God and the people he has placed in my life. 

It would be very easy for me to whine, or worry, or fret.   And I confess some days I do just that.  That is until I gather my senses and receive these blessings with gratitude.

25 I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. 30 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

                                                Matthew 6:25-34  Contemporary English Version (CEV)

When I sat down this evening to chat with you I was beside myself.  Maybe you relate to that feeling.  I won’t go into all the details as to why, but I will say, if I had allowed my mind to wander, I would have been sorry.

Somewhere in the midst I asked God for a verse to share with you tonight.  When I went to Bible Gateway, to do a search, this verse for the day was at the top of my screen:

So don’t worry, because I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you;
I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
Isaiah 41:10 NCV

It’s a great verse.  But, it didn’t get me out of my doldrums.

What got me out of that spot was a nudge from the Holy Spirit.  A nudge that suggested I tell you how blessed I am.

Don't be afraid ::  How blessed I am :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net :: #Scripture #Isaiah41 #DoNoBeAfraid

You know what’s funny?

That verse above from Isaiah came to life without my even recognizing it.

God did strengthen me…he helped me…and he saved me from myself and my ‘stinkin’ thinking.

He helped realize how very blessed I am in a new and fresh way.

At the end of my list of blessings, a few verses from Matthew came to my mind, so I looked them up to share with you.    As I read through them I realized that my blessing list, in many ways, correlates with Jesus’ promises in those verses.

It’s no small thing.

When we choose to trust God and not look at our circumstances, we see blessing.  Overwhelming blessing.

Verse 33 stood out to me…

But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants.
Then the other things will be yours as well.

All my life I’ve wanted to live on water.  For a brief time when I were first married I lived on a sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan.  What a spectacular view.   I always hoped that again, someday. I would be able to live on the water again.

Again is here…just for a short time.  I’m receiving this blessing with much gratitude.   Not just for what it is, but because God who knows our hearts, ministers to that spirit he has placed within us.  He nurtures and cares for us in the most unimaginable and meaningful ways.

Yes…we may still be waiting on God for some really big things.

Look at all the things he has done.  Can I not keep trusting him to work out the big things in the most amazing way?

Are you waiting on God to do something really big?  

Keep waiting and trusting.  Believe him when he says…

So don’t worry, because I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you;
I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
Isaiah 41:10 NCV

Will you trust him with me?

Joy Day! :: Let Me Tell You How Blessed I Am :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Today is Joy Day!

We receive God’s blessing when we thank him for all the big and little things he has done in our lives.  

Here at An Extraordinary Day we set aside time each week to look back over our week and count gifts, blessings, and give thanks for both the good and the not-so-good.  And we get to do it together.

There’s a side benefit to counting, too.  We get joy!  🙂

Please join me in looking back over the past week and counting ‘seven.’

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. the discovery of a new road and the pleasure of walking past grazing horses and cows.
  2. weariness in the wait.  It makes me lean harder on you.
  3. your word that reminds us that you know and care and hold us tight.
  4. light dancing on the water at sunset.
  5. being caught in light rain and not heavy rain on our early morning walk.
  6. friends who need your hope while they wait for something really big, too.
  7. the pleasure of tending our friends’ garden and lightening their load, just a bit.


Now it’s YOUR turn!!

Join me in counting ‘seven.’
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’
I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.


Thank you for stopping by today.

I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully!
Diane

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Comments

  1. Gail says

    Yesterday,celebrated my parents (blessing 1&2) 60th wedding anniversary (3) with family(4) at Michie Tavern (5) in Charlottesville, Va when the weather was mighty fine(6).
    Read your impactful post today (7)

  2. You are always such a blessing and encouragement to me, Diane! You were in my thoughts and prayers quite a bit yesterday…..God was nudging me to pray for you and yours. You are covered in prayer and covered in God’s love.
    Here’s my list:
    1. I have a husband who loves me and a marriage that has been restored (lots and lots of prayer for that one but God IS FAITHFUL).
    2. We have food to eat, always, no matter the circumstances.
    3. I have family that loves me.
    4. I am thankful for my 3 sons who, though they are at times too wild for my quiet demeanor, are a blessing through and through.
    5. I have friends (like you) who bless me in so many ways.
    6. We have a reliable and comfortable vehicle to drive.
    7. God GIVES me the desires of my heart ~ and that is always a surprise and blessing.

    Have a day filled with JOY Dear Friend. hugs, mb

  3. Suzi says

    1. Our son in law’s God-honoring retirement ceremony following 23 years of exemplary service in our military. 2. For the sacrifice of so many who keep us safe… Military, firemen, police. 2. Being physically able to travel to DC and help with my granluvs. 3. A visit with 2 long time friends 4. Being used in ministry to other women. 5. Seeing wounded girls grow into strong, happy women due to His grace and mercy. 6. Having a husband who misses me when we are apart. 7. For health insurance woes clearing up and providing medical equipment to our son. And #8 is being able to plug in to your blog no matter what part of the country I am in, Diane. Bless you. I ask, too, for prayer for a big decision coming down from a judge regarding my health benefits. Thank you.

  4. Debbi Saunders says

    Good Morning Diane,
    “Joy Day” is something I anticipate all week! Helps to keep me centered and Humble and keep the Focus on God…
    I too have always wanted to live on the water! that is my place of joy, soothing, comforting peace ! Healing of my spirit! The place where I feel the Lord’s presence the most…. your post today was what I needed. so here are my 7!
    Thank you God for:
    1. for friends that hold me up in Faithful prayer and Friendship…thank you Diane for being one of them…even though we have yet to meet, I feel we are kindred spirits!
    2. I Thank the Lord for Airconditioning, Hot and cold running water, clothes to wear and always food to eat! Things we can so easily take for granted! Thank you for the reminder!
    3. That the Lord has given me an inner peace this week, despite my circumstances!
    4. this computer which allows me to receive God’s word and guidance from so many places and to be part of a ministry to others….
    5.for this trial that has made me totally dependent on Him!
    6. that I have seen a wonderful change in my brother who has been suffering in a Wilderness Experience of his own in these last 2 wks! I am so grateful!
    7.for beautiful rainbow Wednesday evening! the day I delivered my Loan Modification Packet! Which I desperately need accepted! with it’s promise and hope….

  5. L says

    You have to realize you have a life few of us have. I have no one, my family is dead I only have a disabled Brother that I am fully responsible for that drains my finances and my physical health. The IRS took ALL my income this month ( those who voted for Obama Thank you) and I am losing my car, my apartment and my health insurance that I waited 10 years to afford. I have no food except two containers of yogurt. So you will excuse me if I do not “jump” for joy each day because my life is a exercise in terror as I watch everything I love have to be sold or given away as I become homeless. Where is this Lord you speak of and why does he allow good people to be robbed by their government and lose every little thing I held dear? My life daily is not eating good food or jumping for joy, its trying to survive without food, without a roof over my head and crying every single moment that I am a senior, alone and no one cares what happens to me.

    • Karen H, says

      L.,
      My heart is breaking for you. Please find a church that can help you and guide you to work through what you are dealing with. Keeping you in prayer.
      Karen H.

      • L says

        You have got to be kidding, no church can help. They do not guide, they only want donations and people that donate large amounts. Churches are only big business and not interested in helping. Al they do is refer you to county services which will not help me because I am single without kids. Churches are a façade hiding behind the theory of God to make money

        • Kim says

          L, my heart is breaking for you, also. I wish I knew where you live. There ARE churches around that follow God’s call to help people. Churches are not all what you describe. Evangelical Christian churches seek to do God’s will, not ask for money all the time. Maybe you’d feel more comfortable approaching a smaller church for help. It may be a little scary to enter the doors at first. But, go in! Speak to a minister – not a secretary. (Nothing against secretaries, but ministers have a heart for people God sends their way. Secretaries don’t always have that heart.) Please stay long enough to allow them to understand your situation. I am praying for you already! I will continue to pray for you. God loves you so much! I know He wants to show you. Above all else, seek Him, ask for His forgiveness for the ways you have dishonored Him. Ask for wisdom in your circumstances. If you have given your heart and life to Him through acceptance of Jesus as your Savior, He will shower you with love and blessings – spiritual, physical, and material needs. He has proven himself faithful in the life of every believer! Yes, God’s people sometimes don’t act right (and may not even be His people, just false prophets). Please don’t put your faith in people (we sometimes disappoint), but open your heart to God, Who will never disappoint you. A repentant heart is the kind of heart God answers. I pray for you, my friend “L”, first and foremost, that you settle your salvation with the Lord. (Read the book of John.) After you settle the most important factor in all of your life, He will take care of the rest!

  6. Karen H, says

    Thank You God for:
    my loving husband
    the reflections of morning light bouncing about the walls
    my precious grandchildren
    my church family
    our 4 dogs that make me laugh and bring so much joy
    my 2 sweet hens that keep me in fresh eggs

  7. Kim says

    Diane, we have such different circumstances, yet so similar. Our trust in God is all that is required – the most desperate trust we could have ever imagined! Your words today, as always, help us keep our focus where it belongs. I am thankful to our loving Father for:
    1- Our first glimmer of hope shown through our loved one – a teeny baby step,
    2- His love shown to us daily through His mighty Word.
    3- Fellow-Christians who love us and pray for our family.
    4- The freedom to Worship each week, with God’s words of wisdom shared from the pulpit.
    5- Happy times in the lives of those around us – things to bring us joy, as well, for their families.
    6- God’s directives to me and clarity through time with Him.
    7- How He orders my day so constructively when I give Him my first hour each morning. Lord, You are amazing!
    I love you, my sister, Diane. I continue to pray for you, and I pray for everyone who commented above. I look forward to heavenly days when we will stand together before His throne!

  8. Thanks Diane. You are always so uplifting and encouraging. Praying for you while you wait too….focusing on Him and thanking Him for His wonders while we wait as well. Have a wonderful week:)

  9. Mel says

    I always seem to b late for Joy Day. But I know what ever day I land here, I’m welcomed, warmly.
    So… while life happenstance isn’t always “fun”, I realize that there IS joy in each day, even in the midst of the storm.
    I pray for L, and I hope for a Divine intervention…..I know it’s happening, but I hope for L to know that.

    TODAY I’m grateful for quiet moments when I can hear cicadas singing. Watching lightening bugs rise from the ditches. Practicing gratitude while I drive to work instead of listening to te radio….and being able to recognize the difference it makes in my perspective. Being able to say ” for thine is the kingdom and the power” with an ounce or two of humility. Looking at the sidewalk chalk drawing by a 5 year old that almost wasn’t. The solitude from living in a small town…..and the ability to trust my neighboe which is a gift I take for granted far too often. And my gratitude for having places I can go that will remind me about what REALLY matters. Thank you for that.

  10. June says

    Inspiring post, Diane! As you say, “It’s a common experience to many. But not most.” L seems to be an example of that truth. I’m thankful that despite her circumstance, she was somehow able to find your post and read the life-giving scriptures you shared. God’s word will not return void. Have a blessed weekend.

  11. I am so grateful that God chooses to lead me through the hard places. He will never abandon us.
    Today I am thanking Him for:
    1. Air conditioning.
    2. A “brave” story shared, and a continual walk of healing.
    3. That others have been encouraged through my “brave” story.
    4. The chance to bless my City with random acts of kindness.
    5. eBay sales that equal additional funds!

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