BUT MY BLESSINGS ARE GREATER

Over eight years ago, I participated in a community project with a group of “make it happen” kind of people.  Some of the folks on this team I had known for many years and a few I met at the start of the project.  It was fun while we were able to keep going.  I continue to stay in touch but not as often as I would like. 

God has blessed me to meet exceptional people throughout my life.  I met one such woman during the community project.  She is very beautiful (inside and out).  She is like the rest of us in that she survived a divorce, raised productive children, and learned to take better care of her health and cares for those around her. 

We recently had an email exchange in which she said something to me that has been burning in my spirit ever since.  I’ve shared it with a few folks in general conversations but I just can’t let it go. 

Now, I believe in epiphany statements.  We will probably speak about this in depth at a later time but I will tell you that I have two statements that govern/guide my thoughts by; be about the solution and GOD IS ABLE!  I believe I’ve just found another one to add to my guide book.    

I asked my friend how she was doing and was simply blown away by her words.  She said,

“I can’t complain; I could but my blessings are greater.”

My blessings are greater... My blessings are greater... My blessings are greater… kept running through my mind.  See, I know people are going through things!  They are being challenged with all kinds of things such as the economy.  They are enduring illness and the loss of loved ones. 

I received a CNN breaking news email indicating that our unemployment rate dipped to 8.8% during the month of March.  However, I know some folks that have been looking for a reasonable paying job for years now.  BUT MY BLESSINGS ARE GREATER!  I have a job that I love most of the time and it has allowed me to care for some kiddos without a second job (which was needed when I was raising my children) with potentials on the horizon – if I faint not.

I went to the doctor the other day for a cough (I figured it was bronchitis and it was).  I told the doctor “I’m old and I’m really struggling to keep this body together.”  He looked at me and said “you’re not old – this is common stuff – you will be fine.”  In my mind I was thinking about my knee and those hot flashes I’ve been dealing but said nothing. 

BUT MY BLESSINGS ARE GREATER and I’m so ashamed before the Lord because I had asked the receptionist how she’s doing when I called for the appointment.  This woman, the receptionist, has been putting up a gallant fight against cancer.  I’ve kept her in my prayers and when I got to that office; after speaking to her and understanding the magnitude of the fight she’s in – I had the nerve to go in that room and whine about my knee and catching on fire at a moment’s notice! 

Two days after this encounter, I was entering the local grocery store when I ran into a man that this time last year had been given a death sentence by the cancer doctors.  The brother looked very happy, healthy and well.  I said to him that I had heard he had a mighty powerful testimony and he confirmed that God has been very good and merciful to him.  I let him know that I believe he and his wife are lovely people and I would continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers; as deep in my spirit I shouted, GLORY, GLORY, GLORY!

I complain and whine about how tired I am and how frustrating this round of parenting is for me (I’m sure all the same sad songs I sung when I did this the first time).  Yes, the little peeps have some challenges ahead of them but if you saw them you’d really have no idea how they began in this world.  BUT MY BLESSINGS ARE GREATER …I heard of a family that has a son who was born healthy; was meeting all of his developmental milestones when suddenly he was ill; the 2 year old was eventually diagnosis with a very rare cancer.  He can’t eat by himself, he can’t sit by himself, he’s not talking much anymore and the family is waiting with baited breath to find out if the treatment made any impact on the disease. 

I’m carrying more weight than I would like.  I’ve always done a little exercise to keep my body from getting stiff and feel I’ve done a good job of maintaining.  With my little knee problem, I’m just not able to do what I’ve done in the past and I’ve gained.  BUT MY BLESSINGS ARE GREATER… I don’t have high blood pressure, sugar diabetes or high cholesterol and still manage to have a cute day or two from time to time. 

The other day, someone I know wrote, “Thank you for redeeming my soul.”  I thank you Holy Spirit for bringing this to my attention and giving me this opportunity to grow;  please Lord help me be more like you and a lot less like myself; help me filter my complaints through the lens of my blessings.