counting my blessings

As a primary teacher, I love the chance I have to share principles of the Gospel with my group of 6/7 year olds. They are wonderful kids and the spirit is so strong as their ‘light bulbs’ go off and they really understand the concept I am trying to teach. This past Sunday the lesson was on Gratitude. We took turns naming our blessings from Heavenly Father as we filled a jar with grains of rice. We were all able to name the obvious things- family, health, our homes, the church, the earth, pets- and a few obscure ideas- sunshine, our senses, warm clothes. Most of the lesson was taken up with us each thinking of all the things that we have been blessed with and making the jar overflow. I shared the story of the 10 Lepers found in Luke 17 and discussed how great it is to hear ‘Thank you’. We also talked about thanking those that make our blessings possible, such as our parents and of course our Heavenly Father. I love a successful lesson where I leave feeling like the kids truly comprehended what was being taught.

My sister-in-law’s nephew drown this past week. He was only 18 months old. It really woke me up and scared me. The thought of losing a child close to me, or worse yet, one of my own kids, really made me appreciate how blessed I am. We are healthy and safe and are tucked warm in our beds each night with a full belly. We are blessed.

I just worry that I’m not grateful enough. Why do I deserve so much? Why have I been blessed when others are constantly being challenged?

One of my favorite Hymns is Count Your Blessings (if you click on the text, you’ll be linked to an MP3 of the hymn). The message is that whenever life get’s hard, and you feel low and burdened, take a moment to count your blessings and you’ll realize all the great gifts the Lord has given you. So here goes my list of my many blessings:

a home that fits our family just right, with an affordable monthly mortgage payment

two beautiful, healthy children that make me smile even when they are acting like stinkers

a husband that loves being a husband and an awesome father to aforementioned children

affordable medical insurance and access to health care and specialist- I am constantly impressed with the advancements in medicine

David’s secure job at Intuit (that he enjoys and excels at) which provides our family with all of it’s needs and many of our wants

goodly parents for both me and David who raised us in the gospel and taught us how to be the parents we are

siblings who live near and far that love our kids, and allow us to love theirs

the skills and desires to be a good homemaker

a television with cable that we shut off (and quit paying for) months ago but is still hooked up and allows us to watch Nickelodeon and PBS kids for 2 hours each day

the knowledge of the Gospel and the chance to attend church on a weekly basis

the freedoms of this great nation that include choices and diversity that many in the world go without

the blessings of the Temple, which include our family being together forever

Jenna’s nursery leaders that teach her primary songs

Adam’s determination and ability to charm the pants off most people he sees

a good credit score, a comfortable 401K, a small savings account and money in the bank

cars that are dependable and require little repair (with two that are for sale, in case you were in the market- yes, we still have 3 cars *sigh*)

friends for me and my children

air conditioning and a swimming pool up the street

a comfortable bed

at least a months supply of food in the pantry, the freezers and the fridge

a washing machine, dryer and a dishwasher- so glad I was not born 100 years ago ;)

a public library not too far away providing me and my children access to 1000’s of books

 

I think I could keep going, and while I’m sure I missed something important, I need to return to my motherly duties….

I feel blessed and am so grateful for all that I have. I know that my blessings come from my Heavenly Father and I can feel of his love and his hand in my life as I look over this list.