Thursday, February 28, 2013

Scripture Thursday ~ Thanks for the Blessings



In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18


 
We must realize that thankfulness is not based on emotions or a situation’s outcome. We can be grateful, even during trials, because the Lord has promised to work everything for our good (Romans 8:28). That means He has a purpose for every experience, pleasant or difficult. A big problem stacked against our small resources sends us running to Him, thankful He has committed to work it to our benefit.  Charles Stanley

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When I first started blogging, one of my goals was to encourage women to focus on their blessings.   We’re surrounded by blessings, but sometimes our view of them gets dim as we focus on our demise or troubles.  Little did I know that some of my blessings for the week would include an ambulance ride and some nifty geriatric equipment.  Let me back up a bit ....

It was a typical February Saturday in Maine.  It had snowed a little bit the night before but the skies were clear.  I left my house early in the morning to meet my mother and sister, however I never made it.  When I stepped down on the walkway, my foot hit the dusting of snow which was on top of a thin layer of ice and the next thing I knew, my foot very awkwardly twisted underneath me and I was on the ground with some serious pain in my ankle. 

I was unable to bear weight on it, so my husband called our very capable ambulance crew, who somehow managed to get me into the ambulance ~ I’m still trying to figure out how they did that.  X-rays revealed that it wasn’t broken.  I came home the same day with crutches and an air cast, and am still unable to bear weight without the use of the cast.


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What’s the story in all of this?  I don’t know, but I’m sure God has a plan.  He knew this was going to happen before it did.   Our plans can change in an instant – an injury, a health diagnosis, car accident, death of a loved one.  

My trial is small compared to some of the trials you may be facing, but I have learned something through this and previous trials in my life….. look for the blessings.   They are there!   God loves you more than you can comprehend, and He promises to NEVER leave you.  Deuteronomy 31:6  and Psalm 139

One of the definitions of blessings is defined as:
A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

Our natural tendency is to focus on our problems and how to solve them rather than focusing on the blessings and giving God our problems to solve. 

We’re told in Psalm 68:19 that God LOADS us DAILY with benefits.
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits.


There are countless blessings I’ve received this week, but here are a few that stand out to me: 

all that could have happened in the fall, and didn’t
a friend climbing into the ambulance to pray with me
Encouragement and prayers from friends and family
Watching my grandson’s faces light up when I let them squeeze air into my robot cast
 A loving husband (or home health care aide as I call him) who unselfishly cares for me
an elevated toilet seat and shower chair (don’t laugh, these are real blessings)
Hearing my 4 yr old grandson pray that God would “restore nana's ankle like a child’s ankle”
having my teenage Sunday school class come to me in my home, as I couldn’t go to them
hearing my son in law say “give nana her walker back” – wait, is that a blessing? 
Laughter – yes, laughter – it feels good to laugh


Each trial I've faced over the years, I could feel God closer to me than ever before.  It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized, He’d always been that close to me, I just needed to reach out.  



Here’s some lyrics to a sweet song titled I Just Keep Trusting My Lord, written in 1962 by John W. Peterson

I just keep trusting my Lord, as I walk along,
I just keep trusting my Lord, and He gives a song;
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky, o'er the heav'nly trail,
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail!

He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend;
I can count on Him to the very end.
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky, o'er the heav'nly trail,
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail!
Many blessings to you dear ones.  May you look for your blessings today and count them. 











This post is linked to:
A Sheltering Tree, Monday's Musings, Word Art Wednesday, Hearts 4 Home,
Clever Chicks, Encourage One Another, Teach Me Tuesdays, The Alabaster Jar,



18 comments:

  1. Oh Abby this has just so blessed my heart - have put a mini version of it on my blog and linked over to you on it..

    ....thank you so much I NEEDED it right now,
    love Shaz in Oz.x

    http://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com.au/

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  2. Amen! I hope you heal fast and have lots more blessings along the way. Love, Linda

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  3. Hello,

    I stopped in from Stephanie's blog The Enchanting Rose.

    Often thanksgiving and praise is a sacrifice we offer up to God. I am encouraged to know that God sees our praise and thanksgiving in our difficult times as a sacrifice; it makes it that much easier to offer them, for me.


    Psalm 107:21-22
    Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

    And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.


    Hebrews 13:15
    By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

    I hope are blessed with speedy healing.

    :) Hope

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  4. How refreshing to see your thankfulness in difficult times :) The blessings you listed are true and wonderful blessings. We have much to be thankful for!

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  5. This is the very thing I needed today. Thank you for this beautiful, encouraging post. Sometimes it's difficult to remember to count the blessings even in the hard times, and I think the Lord has used you to remind me that everything is all in His beautiful plan.

    I'll be praying for a quick recovery for you! Thank the Lord your husband was there during the accident.

    Blessings!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this. I needed this today. Today's graphics are just lovely too. I'm thankful you felt well enough to post this. Will pray that your ankle gets better soon! I loved the 4-year-old's prayer that God would "restore Nana's ankle like a child's!"

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  7. I had a hospital appointment today for an injection of contrast agent into my frozen shoulder and x-rays. After a 45min drive to the hosp., there was confusion and they didn't carry out the procedure but rebooked for 2 appts end of March. I was irritated especially as the appts. are not convenient and involve the cost of extra petrol which we cannot afford. On the way home it came to me to be thankful because God must have a reason in this...so I did and peace was restored. We don't know how many times a day He blesses us and prevents us from harm...mayyour ankle be healed really soon and may you continue to bless thse around you as you recover. TFS your story, praying for you. xx

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  8. You are a beautiful and strong woman Abby. Thank you for sharing ministering to all of us through your experiences. You remind me yet again to focus on my positive blessings, for which I am eternally grateful.

    Will be praying for the healing of your ankle and thanking the Lord for the lovely blessings you share with us every week.

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  9. One of the many things I love about you is your wisdom, Abby. What joy is found in living as He taught us in His precious Word. And yes, there is always MUCH for which we can be grateful, even in difficult times. You encourage me over and over again.
    Please remember that (and I don't know how it works), you can walk on that air boot, but the injury is still there. I was amazed how well I could walk when I wore mine, but NOT without it. So, the injury still lies inside. Don't overdo it too soon. Let go, and let God as they say. Its hard to surrender it all, but I'm so blessed that you have support and help. Praying for you, my friend. Thanks for blessing me by sharing once again.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  10. You are amazing! God certainly has our very best interests at heart so we must trust Him all the time. Looking for Him in the interruptions of life results in a closer relationship with him. As always, lovely graphics...I like the way you incorporated that little bird in one of the first ones...perhaps the first one...I can't look back on this comment format. Hope that you're well on the mend!

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  11. I have learned through recent trials that our trials are only Gods way of molding and shaping us into His image, and that each of us has a trial sufficient to the degree of molding God knows that we need at that time in our lives. Though other people's trials may seem bigger or smaller than our own each persons trial is significant to them and exactly what God has chosen to make them more like Himself. Thank you for this wonderful post to focus on the blessings in our lives :).

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  12. Such a beautiful post Abby...you have such a gift of encouragement. I read the comments so far...it's quite obvious that you are a blessing to many. That would include me.

    I stopped by after posting on my blog, because I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful bundle of lace you sent me....and I read "Thanks for the Blessings". I smiled because that's exactly what I was going to say to you!
    I shared photos of my goodies from you on my blog today and linked back to you. What a blessing the Lord's timing is...anyone clicking that link will get to read this wonderful post!

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  13. Oh Abby, what an interruption to your day, and what blessings you have counted. God is so good. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your faith.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  14. Popped over from sweet Stehanie's blog....I am so sorry to hear about your little accident. I pray that you mend quickly. Good attitude.

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  15. Oh Abby, I'm so sorry you've had this accident... I'm praying for a speedy recovery. You have such a wonderful sense of humor! I count YOU as a blessing in my life.
    ~Pamelyn

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  16. Thank you so much Abby for sharing this! I do pray that your ankle is healing up nicely! and that you will continue to see the wonderful blessings that the Lord is still showering you with!
    This morning I woke up early to the stomach flu and all the plans for the day were sent out the window. As first I was so upset, but then I started to see the wonderful grace and compassion my children shared with me in caring for the home as I was unable to meet those needs. The Lord is SO good!

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  17. I fell down some stairs and turned my ankle purple when my husband was out of town and just before I was to go on a major hiking trip. So thankful my girlfriend came over, helped me into the car, and took me for an X-ray. Even more grateful that mine was not broken either!

    Loved, loved, loved your grandson's prayer. Stopping over from Jennifer's #TellHisStory

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  18. With each passing year, God becomes dearer and dearer to me. And I suppose with each passing trial, too. It's good, I think, to look in the rear-view mirror to remember how He was with us all along.

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Your comments are blessings to my day.