Count Your Many Blessings, Name Them One By One

One of the hymns from church goes: (and I bet it is not just an LDS hymn as I copied the lyrics from some random site)

1. 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 hath done.
   • Refrain:
     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.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. 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 keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. 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.

*Alternate text.

Lately, I've had the opportunity to whine and complain.  A lot.  And I have from time to time...I hope I have not seemed ungrateful for the love, support, prayers, and actual help we've received.

But, I have to remember, that truly I am blessed.  Each time a BIG ISSUE presented itself, it has somehow worked out.  Not always in the time frame I'd like, but so far, the MAJOR PROBLEMS are one by one getting their butts kicked and sometimes in unexpected ways.  The generosity of a sweet man from church, slipping "A token of my appreciation for you" into my wallet the same day Bart had a $50 co-pay doctors appointment, a relief society president quick on the draw, the paper work at Bart's work that in NO WAY can be accepted past X deadline being approved.  They add up to equal a very grateful heart.

Life is not perfect.  Yesterday as Bart walked from work to the car, he had to stop on the side walk for a few minutes and rest because he was too weak to keep walking.  He is not 100%, nor is he even 85% yet, but, my friends, he IS walking.  He is doing the best he can.  His doctors on Tuesday were shocked at how much he'd already regained.  Less then one month ago, he could not walk without the use of a walker, and he was very shaky, even then.  Last night, to get a little exercise for his legs, he walked up and down our street with Jackson. I have to remember that it is a blessing to be able to walk.  A blessing to have food, shelter, a loving family.

And I will try.  I will try to not become discouraged because things are not as "normal" as they should be yet.  I will try to keep my patience as I deal with the other issues of life.  I am not perfect.  I get angry.  I get frustrated.  I want to shout and scream and cry sometimes, too.  And maybe I do (and if you could see inside my head, you'd see I THINK those things a lot...my brain could get me into some major trouble :)  And I will accept the help others offer.  In serving others we serve our Lord (gotta love King Benjamin) so, by accepting the acts of service of others, I am allowing them to serve our Lord.  Now, i just have to return the favor and serve others with a happy heart as well.  Maybe in serving others I will remember to count my blessings, even when it is much easier to see what I don't have...to want what I don't need.