Count your Many Blessings

I've never made it a secret how difficult being a good mother is for me. I struggle on a daily basis with the very simplest of things when it comes to mothering. I look at it as my challenges, while some have those simple things come easily to them they have other types of challenges in life. I had an epiphany of sorts today when we sang the closing song today in church.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

How simple and how beautiful. Just to sit back think about how much the lord does for me and let him lighten my burdens. The problem is I forget that part about counting my blessings and if I do I will realize that I shouldn't need him to lighten that much because my burdens really aren't that heavy. Up there in the second verse where it says,

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

I had to stifle a giggle because I instantly thought of the 8 LOADS of laundry that need my CARE to be folded laying on my bedroom floor! It goes on to say,

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Just how is it that 8 loads of laundry needing to be folded could be classified as a burden when you think of the cross that others who have so much more to bear? So as I sit here tonight thinking of my crazy to-do list for the week, I will count it a blessing that my silly crazy "to-do's" are really not the heavy a burden to bear and I should be grateful that I am not faced with a REAL challenge...yet!

Counting My Blessings

1. I am blessed with the best and most Supportive husband a girl could ever dream of.

2. I am blessed with 4 healthy children.

3. I am blessed with the knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ and what a treasure they really are.

4. I am blessed with the opportunity to fill my days with things I love to do along with the things I hate to do rather than just things I hate to do!

5. I am blessed with the support of an amazing family on all sides.

6. I am blessed to have the priesthood in my home (2 priesthood holders none the less!)

7. I am blessed to have music in my home.

8. I am blessed with a home.

9. I am blessed with good health.

10. I am blessed with the opportunity to teach primary and the lessons I learn more form than the children I teach do.

11. I am blessed with a sister who in exchange for bread will come and help me fold 8 loads of laundry tomorrow (K Stac! how bout 10o'clockish)

12. I am blessed with a little bit of talent in photography that helps me have an outlet creatively.

The list could go on and on but it's late and I still haven't recovered form my 5 hour stay at the I-15 mile marker 179 on friday night. (More about that on my next blog post.) So I will leave you with a reminder to Count your blessings...see what God hath done.