Count your blessings, name them one by one…
July 18, 2007
I had an entire post written out on how many times Satan tried to bring me down yesterday, but instead I am going to list my blessings and forget about the rest. :)
- I am alive.
- I have loving and super supportive parents who would do anything for me.
- I have a husband who dearly loves me, and tells me so often.
- I have 3 beautiful children
- I am amazingly gifted in web design, although I have chosen not to do it right now.
- I have so many friends, too many to count.
- I have an amazing best friend, Laura. She blesses me daily.
- I know my savior loves me, even in my darkest times.
- I have come to realize that being a Christian doesn’t equal being a doormat, and forgiveness is a long long journey. And thats okay.
- I have a church family who honestly blow me away.
- I have cancer, but it doesn’t have me.
Choose to start this day looking at your blessings. Trust me, Satan wants nothing more than to steal your joy. Today you have a clean slate, so to speak….
Choose wisely what you fill it with!
Edited to add:
I received an email just now pointing me to another cancer blogger who is struggling with the concept of how God could forsake her. If you have a moment, please visit Minerva and leave her a comment. She really could use some encouragement today, especially today. Thanks.
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Note From Heather: All comments are welcome, but I reserve the right to delete at any time. All comments are solely the opinions of the individuals submitting them and the publication of them on this blog does not imply my endorsement or agreement. By posting your comments to the blog you are granting me the right to use them. Your submission of a comment constitutes your acceptance of this comment policy.
In other words: Play Nice
59 Responses to “Count your blessings, name them one by one…”
I would love to hear from you!
Amen, thank you for the sweet encouragement!!! May you have a blessed day with joy overflowing and a peace that passes all understanding!!! :-)
Again — your thoughts come from tested metal or I should say tested spirit, spirit that is Enabled by The Holy Spirit , The Sanctifying process is so evident in your struggle, your words and believe me , Heather, those words are affecting the church of Jesus Christ.
Amen! I live by this…I choose to put a smile on my face, a bounce in my stride, because He lives! It is SOOOO easy to focus on the negatives, what we don’t have, what is going wrong, what should or should not be happening…but that is not living! You are blessed Heather and you bless many, each and every day. Positive self talk…but I will say that often it is good to allow the negative feelings to flow…even if the letter is never mailed or the post is just deleted. You do have to feel. Thank you for being real! Have a fabulous day! I hope you are feeling stronger today!
Many Blessings,
Paula
Sending big hugs and prayers. You’re doing good girlfriend…….real good!
Thanks for the reminder! How blessed we are, in big and little ways.
~lisa~
I will choose Him daily. Thank you, sweet Heather, ministering when you could choose to do otherwise.
With Prayer,
Julie
((hugs)) :)
Hi Heather,
Your post is so very true. It is good to acknowledge the negative thoughts and feelings for a moment before passing them on to the Lord. It makes counting our blessings (and we have so many) sweeter and healing to the
soul. It also makes Satan shrink back in his pit. I am praying that as you rest in the days ahead, God absolutely pours His peace and joy out all over you and you will be filled with a Healing Flow from head to toe. You are such a blessing to me.
~~~Tons of Love and Healing Hugs to you from California today~~~
Laurel
Good for you! My dad (who was a pastor) used to say, “If you don’t want to buy the Devil’s wares, stay out of his shop.” And that applies to our choice of attitude for the day. We can’t buy grumpy or gossip in God’s shop. We can’t buy joy and peace in the Devil’s shop. So your day will tend to go with what you have purchased.
I’m so proud of you for choosing to not even post the negatives, but to concentrate on the good things. Reminds me of Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Thanks again for sharing your heart with us!
What a great reminder. :)
dawnz
More of us should remember this daily. How wonderfully amazing you can do it with all you are going through.
Good for you Heather! How tempting it must be to linger in the pit, so to speak, and yet how triumphant to be able to peek your head over the edge and enjoy the Son! Thank you for the reminder to all of us to daily acknowledge our blessings — I will enjoy a special day out with my daughter while my wonderful mom spends time with my baby girl and my big guy. I will give thanks for my hardworking husband who makes so many things possible for our family. I will give my old dog a hug and thank God for his faithful companionship over the last 12 years. I will praise God for His provision of all of these things.
Enjoy your day of blessing!
Thanks for the reminder! I’m going to go now and get working on my 1000 Gifts list that I’ve let lag. ((hugs))
Thanks for the reminder!
God bless :)
I needed this. I have three small kids. My newborn was still sleeping, so I was too! I was awakened by the screams of my three-year-old, in the monitor, as she was waking up her 16 month old brother. I am so sleep deprived, so I was not happy. Your post reminded me to be thankful for these moments. God has blessed me with kids to wake each other up.
You’re so beautiful! I hope you have an amazing day today. I might try to get somemore sleep…:)
God bless you heather and your struggle. I happened upon your site through Nicoles site. Just want you to know that I will pray for God to be with you as you continue on your journey. I will pray for your husband and your children. As I read through your site … it seems your journey has been difficult but you handle it with a lovely God honoring way. If we could all handle adversity and pain in such a way! It is truely a beautiful picture - not that you are experinecing the pain that you are - but how you turn to God and allow him to meet you right where you are. I pray for your healing and for comfort for you and your family. God bless!
((HUGS)) You are truly blessed!! Thinking of you sis!!!
I feel blessed to be related to you. You are my FAVORITE sister in law. ;)
Sweet reminder of how much we are truly blessed!
what an amazing testimony you have. i found your blog last night & went to sleep lifting you up in prayer.
thank YOU for being an instrument of much joy & inspiration to many.
xo
What an awesome reminder!
Heather,
You are a true inspiration! I don’t know that we’ll know this side of heaven why you had the brain tumor, but I do know that God is using you to bless others. I don’t know how people can go through life, especially when it involves disease and sorrow, without clinging to our Savior. I need to be more evangelistic in that aspect.
Keep the faith! You are in my prayers.
Love,
~Jada
We do a blessing box as a family…I may just write about it. We write our blessings and then sing “Count your blessings.” Then when those days come (and they will) we have a record of God’s faithfulness towards us. It is amazing!
Thanks for the reminder, Heather! Our family is praying for yours.
In His Joy,
Holly
You teach me so much….
Thanks for being a shining example to the rest of us!
(((BIG hug)))
What an encouraging thing to do. Thanks for the idea.
JoAnn
Thanks for the reminder, Heather!
I’m doing the Daniel study by Beth Moore this summer, and the first lesson encourages us to “Choose joy!” in everything that we do. I’m trying, and your post encouraged me to keep it up!
Oh, thank you for this! I love hearing about your blessings and can’t wait to list mine out. And I love how you decided to give God glory and ignore the “other stuff.” Good decision!
I’ve been on the same wavelength recently with choosing to count the blessings I do have rather than what I don’t. Come see my list tomorrow at my regular Thursday Thanks Tank . . .
Love you and am praying for you right now, dear Heather.
Hey Heather, I think Minerva needs your words today, and prayer.I am so glad you have the Lord who keeps you in line. I do not know how people do this without Christ. You have a wonderful testimony of Faith.
Thank you for stirring the memory of my Nana singing the hymn “Count your Blessings”. It has brighten my day! I think I’ll go blog about blessings today also!
I am so glad you reminded me to count my blessings, naming them one by one. I will pray for Minerva. She will benefit from your testimony and your faith. I hope you have a blessed and restful day.
Mandy
GA
http://www.madelinegracehopkins.blogspot.com
let us continue in the work the Lord has called us to do….Heather, you are a blessing….hugs
donna
Someone pointed me to your blog when my husband Christopher was told on May 21st of this year that he had stage 4 colon cancer. He’s 32 and we have a one year old named Ethan. I told my friend that Christopher didn’t want to go to support groups because he didn’t want to hear people say they were sorry for him. He has this outlook that is amazing, he is 110% for sure that he will beat this. And we both have faith in god that he has a plan for the three of us and he will guide us.
It is so nice to read your blogs in the morning to see other people who have the same outlook in life. Thank you for your blog! Here is our blog if you would like to read it: http://livestong.blogspot.com/
Thank You! Pax,
You continue to amaze me with your optimism, even in the face of such a serious situation. You really are an inspiration and you’re still in my prayers.
Dear Heather…Thanks for this thought provoking post.
How little do I ever count my blessings and I am going to do so today!
I heard about Minerva on Pilgrim Pals. I think that Passing-thru put in this good post of yours.
I went to visit Minerva and I will try to do so on a regular basis.
Do you really know what a blessing you are to many, Heather.
I mean do you REALLY know?…Love Terry
Awesome post!! So needed! Thanks! :)
Oh Heather… It was your precious friend, Donna that put your post in!
The girl that first introduced you to me!!…Love Terry
Heather - Once again you think of someone other than yourself - just as you always do -Minerva and so many others benefit from your attention, concern and prayer. You are correct in staying away from the negative and from things that could be detrimental to you if you PERMITTED such. The devil comes in all shapes and wears many different clothes. All of us who know you and love you both in the “real” sense and in cyberspace know what is deep within your heart and your soul. No good ever comes when people try and bring you down or drag you into their games. I think it is itme to turn off the monitor, take a deep breath and call one of us for a lunch, take a walk or just spend some time laughing together. Kick those stones out of your path, trust in your faith and embrace the love so many people have for you. I agree, being a Christian does not require you to be a doormat - BUT ignoring evil and the bearer of such will send it from your doorstep. Stay focused on what is most important and I am sending you a great big hug!
No Ma’am. Cancer doesn’t have you, but God sure does.
praying or you sistah!
Good girl! You’re right, cancer doesn’t have you! God has you in the palm of His hand! Always praying!
Praying! D
Hey girl! Just about to catch up on the list week or so of your blog. I haven’t been online much and decided today would be my catchup day. I also wanted to let you know I tagged you on my blog. I don’t expect you to do the meme but just wanted you to know I tagged you:)
Blessings!!
Thank you for this encouragement. I love how you just stopped and wrote down the specific things you are thankful for. How awesome. Praying for you today!!
wow, the visitors from your site going to Minerva’s are pouring out some wonderful word blessings ( she deserves it) we are all praying for the biggest of miracles. God is faithful
Heather,
I am glad you are still up and fighting. My friend Mary Ann, my niece Jill’s grandmother took her first chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer last Monday, got a horrible infection from the porta cath and is now in a drug induced coma as they try to battle the infection. They say she may not come home. I don’t know what to pray for - her coming out of the coma, unable to walk, talk, hug her family or to be spirited away by the Lord. Stand tall, fight hard for you and pray for the wonderful Mary Ann Swing and be a reminder to us all that life is worth fighting for.
I have been offline for a week ror so, but the prayers never stop, Heather. You are an amazing woman, and your faith is such an inspiration.
I am so glad you can go to the conference and spend time with your Mom. Praying for you . Amen to blessings big and small.
Smiles and Blessings,
Angel ():)
Thank You Jesus for guiding us to see the importance of “gratefulness.” Heather… what a testimony you gave today… thank you!! We ought to glorify and praise the Lord all the more when the enemy tries to sneak in negative thoughts. I sit here with a smile in knowing that you chose to praise God for your blessings…
Praying for you each day…
Have a beautifully blessed week!
**Lots of Hugs**
Deborah
Sometimes we forget that we have so many blessings in our lives! Just to be alive is the greatest one of all! Thank you for this beautiful post today- you are such an inspiration to all of us!
And thank you for the link- I will visit Minerva right away…
xo
Do you ever wish you didn’t have to deal with the emotions of cancer? God gave us women such emotions, and the challenge is learning to glorify and honor Him with them. Praise God His mercies are new every morning….may you continue to find your joy and strength in Him.
Thank you for sharing your heart with everyone!
Heather - to me YOU are amazing. Your journey opens up so much for all of us who read your musings on your blog. The Lord uses us in the ways He knows we will be of the most use. You’ve been blessed with the ability to speak your mind and to praise Him despite all that’s happening in your life. Hold on to Him. Call out to Him. And rest in His arms. I pray that your cancer would lie down and PERISH. That’s a word I got from a dear friend whose child is recovering. PERISH - to die. To be erased. To stop existing. Blessings to you!
Hi Heather,
I have written you once before, I believe. My sister is diagnosed with GBM and although she lives in Minnesota, Dr. Uhm is her neuro-oncologist as well. He is a brilliant man. Although I’m not in your shoes, I know what it’s like to live in this new brain tumor world and there are definitely those down days. You need to allow yourself to have them, to wallow for a bit, and then tomorrow may be a better day. My sister has two little children at home, just 3 and 1, and some days it’s so depressing not being able to be the “normal” mom she used to be. Like it or not, life has changed, but wonderful things have come of this too (don’t get me wrong, I’d change it in a second!). I’m with you and praying for you and keeping you in my thoughts.
Heather,
Thank you for posting your blessings. We always have something to be thankful for, don’t we? I know how Satan tries to rob us of joy and trust in the Savior as I experienced that this week as I was waiting for my scan. The fear was overwhelming for some reason and I just could not seem to escape it no matter how much I prayed. One day, however, while praying in the car ( I was not driving ha!) I looked up to see the car in front of me had a license plate that said, “Peace”. How awesome are God’s answers to prayer! Keep trusting even when you do not “feel” anything! Our relationship with him is based on so much more than how we feel at a given moment or on what experiences we have. It is about abiding in Him and being found faithful.
Praying always for you!
Gina
Reading you daily~Praying For you daily~Remembering you daily~Loving you daily, in Christ! Thank you for ministering to my heart, personally~
Heather, I just wanted to tell you what an inspiration you are! You are a very special woman to hold the faith that you do in your trials. You are touching many lives. I will hold you in my prayers. You have a gift of inspiration!
~ Audrey ~
Thanks for being so open and honest with us. And reminding us that we ARE blessed. There was a great devotional I read today about being blessed and that it’s not about having things or feeling good but about being turned from the sin in our lives. I had never heard it put that way and then you seemed to echo that here. I must be needing that, huh? Bless you girl!
Amy
Stay Strong–YOU stay strong!
you are strong and inspirational. you have chosen to use what satan set out to destroy you with and instead turn around and use it to defeat him. praise God! thank you. i too believe and KNOW God is the our healer, the ulitimate comforter. you have increased my hope and faith today! i can’t thank you enough.
“In everything gives thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The Lord knows that we NEED to give thanks. Without focusing on our blessings it’s just way too easy to be overwhelmed by despair. He IS good. He is good ALL THE TIME!
Heather, I am no one to say things better than you as you have gone through bitter times. But one thing I can assure you, God is using you to make lots of people closer to Him - like in my case.
I was just searching for the lyrics of the song “Count your blessings”, then accidently I came across your site. It was an eye opener to me. I have complained and questioned God, why things could happen to me the way they have. But seeing your faith, I am thanking God. Even though not affected by sickness, I have had lots of tragedies in my life. I have thought of suiciding thousands of times. But the teaching by my mother and church which I had received before, made me rethink each time that I will be eternally lost in hell. Nowadays I am much closer to God than old times.
I will pray for you as my elder sister.
May God bless His sweet daughter!