August 6, 2017
Summer Sundays-Sunshine for the Soul
One by One…
“When I said, My foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my anxious thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!” Psalm 94:18-19
“One day at a time,” I heard my Master’s voice,
“How you live this day-is a matter of choice.
Your load is quite heavy, so invite Me along-
Your burden will lighten, Your spirit become strong.
One step at a time,” I heard my Master say-
“My child, let me lead you, for I AM the Way…
One breath at a time…” Then, I felt my Master’s Hand…
Reach into my anxious heart as He whispered, “I understand.”
And, One… by… One, the worries of my day…
Become His to bear, When I trust Him and I pray.
Last night, I entertained some anxious thoughts, a multitude of anxious thoughts…and honestly, there have been too many sleepless nights over the past few months…I think it has become an epidemic in our family! No doubt, most of America can identify…and I would guess that you understand those moments when your heart begins to pound…Sometimes, over the tomorrow’s to do list, which has become extra-long because it is the end of the summer and school begins all too soon! (I know, for some, not soon enough!)
For others, the concerns for family members are weighing heavily on hearts of parents, and of grands, health issues, well-being issues, school issues, job issues, relationships…and the list goes on…and on…and on…
Perhaps there has been a recent move, or moves, and boxes are literally stacked to the ceiling…
And if you are like me, I make it a point to worry when my loved ones are worrying…Yikes, I think it is contagious!
Perhaps, some of you claim all of the above…as well as the worries which most of us carry, as the questions haunt… “Am I doing enough? I am measuring up to whatever it is that I am supposed to measure up to? Am I pleasing people, my family? My employer? My friends? How in this world can I solve their problems…as well as my own?”
I understand because I think that, eventually, most of us find ourselves in this place. The place where the worries of our day, invade the night’s peace and rest. And, it is not a pleasant place; sometimes, it becomes a dreadful, a dread-filled place. If you have experienced this, then you understand! But, as God’s children, we know that we do not have to stay in this place…
Count your blessings One by One, this is how the battle is won!
Last night, as I encountered those pesky thoughts, which turned into worries…then into those giant-size invaders of peace and rest…I did something a little different…
We know that when we awaken in the night, those moments are the perfect time to pray for people who God brings to your mind. Certainly for our children, our grands, our spouses, our friends…And, I believe that as the sleepless moments linger, we can then begin to count our blessings… one by one…
Last night, as those sneaky, giant-sized thoughts and worries returned after praying for my husband, my children, my grands, and after counting my blessings, it was as though the Lord, whispered, “Don’t stop now…Keep Counting…”
Count your children’s blessings…One by One…Oh Yes! Yes! They are both married to wonderful spouses…they have beautiful healthy children, lovely homes, food and clothing, Jesus preaching churches…fabulous friends…
Count your grands’ blessings…One by One…Oh Yes! Yes! The six grands have good health, the most wonderful parents, a church they love attending, a safe home, food and clothing, gummy bears and ice cream, great schools, and friends and lots and lots of family…
Count your husband’s blessings…One by One…Oh Yes! Yes…I began…to count…and, I do not remember anything else…Oh my, I must have been so exhausted counting, that I fell into peaceful, rest-filled sleep.
“Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!”
You see, when I awoke this morning, the circumstances of my concerns really had not changed, but they no longer identified themselves as giants…lurking…
You see, by praying to my faithful LORD, and by trusting Him, He took my heavy burdens…He lifted them from my shoulders, from my heart…from my mind…
By counting not only my blessings, but my children’s blessings…my grands’ blessings…my husband’s blessings, the focus of my mind and my heart changed from pesky worries and panic, to praise…to gratitude…to hope…to confidence…to assurance…to peace and to rest in and through my Almighty God.
My friends, I pray for you as you live and as you love your precious ones…Our faithful God is there to walk with you one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time. On this Summer Sunday, I pray that Sunshine fills your Soul as you pray and trust your Heavenly Father…I pray for you as you Count your Blessings, One by One, that you will discover just how the Battle is won…morning, noon, and night.
Joy, Abundant Blessings, and the Sweetest of Dreams…
