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Romans 12:2
Encouragement to fulfill God's purpose through Practical Life Application and Navigation

Blessed to Breathe – A Timely Reminder

With all the devastation and sorrow going on in the world, it’s all too easy to count our fears and heartaches instead of our blessings. Today seemed fitting to remind myself, and you, that in spite of horrific circumstances, we are insanely blessed by a God who loves us dearly and there is still much hope and joy to be found. 

 

I thank God for the air I breathe. All the time. ‘No foolin’ as my Nana used to say. I really do.

 

I also thank Him for food to eat, the roof over my head, an amazing husband to love, adorable grandchildren to spoil, family to cherish, friends to ‘do life’ with, and for loving me even when I’m at my most unlovable, which happens more than I’d care to admit.

 

The glory of life has become my ‘Praise List’. Today I share just a bit of my heart and the blessings for which I am eternally grateful.

 

Praise God For What You See

landscape for blogSometimes when I see a beautiful flower or a gorgeous green lawn, I spend an extra moment taking in the vivid scenery. I don’t like to consider what life would be life if I lost my sight, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind now and again. In those moments when I’m confronted with humbling beauty, I try to memorize colors and shapes. I visually stamp an imprint on my heart of the magnificence my eyes are seeing.

 

This doesn’t just go for landscapes. I study my husband’s features, for fear that one day he might be gone before me and I wouldn’t be able to gaze upon his earthly face again. In the delicate line of brown eyelashes that frame his right eye, he has one lash, dead center, that is blond. You’re probably thinking I’m getting a little sappy here, or perhaps even creepy, but don’t you gaze upon the faces of those you love and take in every detail? I’m not ashamed to say I do.

 

It’s easy to go down this road with the kiddos in our lives, isn’t it? For Lindon and I, our current life stage finds us embracing and enjoying grandparenthood. Talk about a proud Grammy and Grampy! You know the crazy old people who stop perfect strangers to show them pictures of their grandchildren? Yes, you guessed it. We are those crazy folks, totally and completely loving every moment.

 

So when it comes to our grandbabies, 921559_10151404096107611_34097092_othere’s no shortage of delight in their sparkling eyes, unblemished skin, chubby fingers, pudgy feet, and kissable lips. I collect snapshots in my mind, and on my camera of course, of every pure and perfect body part and expression.

 

 

What else do you see? A feisty puppy pouncing on a rolling ball. The crystal blue reflection of a sparkling blue pool. The view from the mountain you just hiked. Your child scoring a touchdown, or a goal, or a basket. Your baby helping someone in need. Huge WOW moments here!

 

I thank God for each and every blessing I’m able to see and I make sure to tell Him so!

 

 

Praise God For What You Hear

I’m a sucker for a good laugh. I don’t need to know what’s funny and I could have missed the punchline altogether, but if I’m within earshot of a hearty laugh, I’m completely undone in the best possible way.

 

My husband has several different laughs, but one is a deep, belly-aching roar that causes me to fall in love with him all over again every time I hear it.

 

What if my ears couldn’t hear, would I remember the sound? Would it fade overtime? Lord I hope not. So I praise God for the delightful sounds my ears hear and thank him for over forty-nine years of enjoying this privilege.

 

The sweet little ‘S’ lisp my grandson has and the expressiveness in his voice…

 

An energetic rush of descriptive words which freely flow from my granddaughter’s mouth…

 

Words of praise coming from my best friend, who is one of my biggest fans and a never-ending source of support…

 

Comforting sentiment from another bestie who is concerned about me or the enthusiastic conversation with yet another while making exciting plans…

 

Texting and email has its place, but there is nothing like hearing the voice of those you love. Each and every sound is music to my ears and I regularly thank God for ears that hear, even when I hear a bit too much!

 

 

Praise God For What You Smell

Fresh cut grass.

 

Your favorite flower in bloom.

 

A newborn’s skin.

 

Your spouse’s favorite cologne.

 

Salt-filled ocean breezes.

 

Waking to aromatic scents from breakfast cooking.

 

Blog pic rainEven the musty smell of rain drizzling on the dirty, cement sidewalk brings joy to the senses. For me, it reminds me of being at my Nana’s home in Brooklyn and sitting at her bedroom window watching the rain.

 

 

Oh my goodness, there are some truly amazing smells out there! God is so good to grant us the honor of enjoying such delights. Do you appreciate the wonderful smells in your life? Do you feel blessed by them? Have you thanked God lately for them?

 

 

Thank God For All Blessings, Big and Small

We often thank God for the big stuff when it happens. Or feel blessed by the special occasion or treat. But do you spend time in prayer, thanking God for all the regular, everyday, ‘fly under the radar’, often taken-for-granted blessings we have?

 

I’m grateful for the thirteen year old SUV I drive, the paycheck I earn every week, and the prescription I just filled at the pharmacy. The heater that warms my home on a blustery winter day. The electricity which keeps the food in my fridge cold. My husband’s armed wrapped tightly around me and my grandson’s hands on my cheeks as he gives me a kiss. The hot steam rising off my morning cup of delicious coffee. And the Word of God I have access to – in my Bible, on my phone, and while driving in my car, and of course, the gift of eternal life.

 

Today I ask you to take a few moments and ponder the beauty in your life. The sweet, magical, not-so-obvious blessings which bring a smile to your heart. Perhaps it’s the blessings which provide comfort and security that mean the most. Or maybe the ones that make you just feel warm and fuzzy and good.

 

God is so very good to us. The magnitude of his splendor and provision truly defies logic and explanation. But we don’t have to necessarily understand something to express gratitude for it.

 

Am I blessed to breathe? You betcha! And I thank God from the bottom of my heart for the miraculous gift of life He’s provided. I encourage you to do the same.

 

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2 Responses to Blessed to Breathe – A Timely Reminder

  1. Lindon says:

    A great verse to remember when we are walking through trials and suffering or when we are in a time of blessing and plenty.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV).

    18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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