Counting Blessings and Some Spring Photos

Ever had an ah-ha moment when you realized how blessed your really are?

I did today, and it was the result of something different I started doing.

In the mornings I have what I call my Not So Quiet Time, when I read my Bible and pray.

I call it Not So Quiet, because David is usually watching TV and Wade is playing. I’ve tried to do it at other times of the day when the boys are sleeping, but if I don’t do it in the morning, I don’t do it at all.

I’ve always written down prayer requests. A few weeks ago I also started writing down answers to those requests, and other things that I am thankful for.

Today I just kept writing, “Thank you for this, and thank you for that, and thank you, and thank you and thank you.” It went on and on. Then I wrote down the requests. And when I looked down at my notebook I realized the answers to prayer, and things I was thankful for far outweighed the number of requests.

It’s kind of human nature to sit and say to yourself, “I want blah, blah, blah…. I don’t have blah, blah, blah… I need blah, blah, blah.”

It’s not always human nature to focus on what we do have. But writing it down forced me to focus on it. There it was in black and white right in front of me, all the ways my family and I are blessed.

The glass wasn’t half-empty, it wasn’t even half-full. It was filled to the brim and over-flowing!

I felt such joy and such gratitude when I saw how very much I do have.

What was I moping about? What was I feeling so sorry for myself over?

Sure life isn’t perfect, but life is pretty good.

Why did I waste all that time worrying? Look how God answered all those requests! Surely he will answer more.

If you feel discouraged, I encourage you write down all the things you’re thankful for. You might be surprised just how long that list gets!

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Well, one of the things I am thankful for is Spring!

We are having incredibly great April weather with way more than normal warm, sunny days.

Here’s a mish-mash of Spring photos.

David collecting Easter eggs at Grandma’s. He found a Woody Toy Story cowboy hat in his Easter basket.

Wade’s first Easter. He thought he was big stuff holding on to that egg. I love the mischievous expression on his face.

We went to the park over the weekend. See David’s weird hair? Earlier that day he asked me to style it like Astor Boy’s. David’s obsession with Astor Boy is a whole other post.

Wade’s first time in the baby swing at the park. He was still too little last year.

There’s an old railroad bridge that goes across the river at the park. It’s part of the city’s riverwalk. David feels brave and daring when he walks across it. But he still wants to hold Daddy’s hand.

Blossoms on the plum trees at our house came out over the weekend. They smell so sweet and good.

Buds on the Red Maple in the back yard.

So what are you doing to enjoy the spring?