There are days that I get so caught up in the minutia of life…teaching, working, cooking, cleaning, solving teenaged problems, and paying bills that I miss the blessings that God rains down through it all.
As I sit here at the desk and begin organizing all our tax documents, I hear the Holy Spirit whisper, “Listen!” “Listen to what, Lord?” He answers, “Listen to the love?” I promptly stop what I am doing and listen and I hear…
…Finches singing and squawking orders at each other
…Violins, Flutes, and Cellos effortlessly playing concertos
…Maggie and Millie barking at passersby on the front sidewalk
…David and Joshua clowning around and laughing at each other’s next antic to one-up the other…
and then there is my computer grinding away, as I tap, tap, tap on the keyboard, the ice-maker dropping freshly made ice in the bin, the washer and dryer running in the laundry room, and a fire-truck blaring by on the road.
I guess during the minutia, frustration, and hurriedness of the day it can sound like noise, right? Today the Lord reminded me that it is not noises at all, but rather HIS blessings on me. If I count those blessings I see and hear nothing, but the blessing of home:
Blessing One: A home…when there are those who are homeless.
Blessing Two: Beautiful Finches, created by God, singing His praises and dogs barking, which means I have pets…when there are those who aren’t allowed a pet for whatever reason.
Blessing Three: Music to calm my spirit, which means I can hear…when there are those who’ve never heard a sound.
Blessing Four: David and Joshua who fill my life with laughter and love…when there are those who are lonely.
Those blessings lost in the minutia of an ordinary day …not counted…overlooked…taken for granted! The hymn writer, Johnson Oatman, Jr., wrote the following hymn in 1897 recognizing that in America we take many things for granted:
“Count Your Blessings”
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
Chorus
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.
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.
I am grateful for Johnson Oatman, Jr.’s hymn and the reminder to count our blessings. However, I more thankful for the Holy Spirit’s prompting of me this morning to stop and listen to the sounds of my home and the beautiful echoes of love in it from HIM.
“For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21:6
Azalea Trees and Tea Rooms 