Saturday, December 31, 2016

Count Your Blessings ~ Name Them One By One



{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 Hymn

 

The “count your blessings” topic recently came up in a conversation I was having with my mom.  She was reminiscing about how she and her mom would sing this lovely and inspiring song in church when she was a young girl.  They would get dressed up each Sunday, and she would wear her nice dress and white gloves.  It was a song she would always remember and call upon in times of need.  I was not aware of it, so I wanted to learn more about it. I quickly found various versions of the song, and now it frequently holds a comforting space in my heart and mind on a daily basis.   

 

It provides a healthy reminder of the power of gratitude and its ability to transform every thought, feeling, and situation into one filled with positive potential and thankfulness.    

 

This was just the beginning of the synchronicities.

 

A couple of years ago, I found myself at a local symphony and choir performance of Handel’s Messiah at a local church.  I enjoyed it so much that I intended to visit future performances and did so again this year. Fortunately, this time, my mom was able to accompany us.  


Interestingly enough, I discovered that the venue (same location this year and in years past) just happened to be where she attended church as a young girl.  I just knew she had to join me this time.     

 
As we arrived and took our seats in the beautiful glowing space inside the church decorated with festive lights, Christmas trees, and holiday décor, the stained glass just glistened as we sat in our pew near the front row.  I saw the church hymnal in front of us and quickly located the song of interest.  It was in this very church that my mom would sing the “Count Your Blessings” hymn with her mom and family over 50 years ago. 

 

I took a snapshot of the song in the hymnal – which you can see here – and handed the book to my mom so she could recall all of the verses.  She was really touched, and a tear glistened in her eye as she acknowledged the recollection of the story she shared with me about the hymn.

 

I am pleased to share the song with you in hopes that it might bring inspiration to you and help nourish you with never-ending gratitude as you flow through another beautiful year full of little miracles like these. 

 

Happy synchronicities! I encourage you to begin the new year by focusing on all of the things in your life for which you are grateful. 
 

Enjoy the “Count Your blessings” verses below.
 

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.

 

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

 

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep 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 [*wealth can never 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.

 

I also invite you to sing along with these video versions.

 

Count Your Blessings

 


 







Blessings to you and your family in this coming year that will be filled with many miracles!
***


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