...name them one by one...

...Count your many blessings,  see what God hath done...


I am really having a hard time. I am not going to go into the details, because like I have mentioned before, it is best to not (as they say) count your chickens before they are hatched. I am mostly blogging (or it may be better stated: journaling) again as a way to work through my thoughts and feelings. 


Tomorrow is Sunday. It is the first Sunday of the month which for those of my faith (see www.lds.org), means testimony meeting.  My murmuring mortal self wants to crawl in a hole. Not only because three hours of church with wiggly little boys is exhausting, but I am not sure I am up for the reminder of how poorly I am handling life.  


While googling again, I kept hearing a very specific hymn in my mind. I decided to look for a link to listen to it and found this scripture associated with "Count your Blessings."


"That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." Alma 34:38


Life was meant to be hard. I know that. But it has been filled abundantly with blessings. That I can not deny. That fact is concrete and obvious. It seems to go without saying that many blessings are taken for granted. I for one, am amongst those who forget too easily about all the good that surrounds the bad. Kind of the way water fills a jar already (seemingly) full.  You know the old object lesson that takes a jar and fills it first with the rocks, then pebbles, sand and eventually water? It's just another way of applying the same principle, I guess. Our lives may be full of varying degrees of difficulty, but surrounding the trials, and ultimately filling the jar, water: tender mercies and blessings flow abundantly. I know it. I could list countless blessings, but will save you the time of scrolling through them. Rest assure, my prayer tonight will be one of gratitude. There are plenty of worries weighing heavily on my mind, but I realize that my faith may be better strengthened by recognizing what I have already been given. So, because I cannot find a link to share that gives the song the same reverence I hear in my mind, I will leave you with only the lyrics:

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; ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Chorus

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Chorus

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.