Counting my blessings

I have been supremely blessed in my life. I say that all the time--at interviews, in discussions and reflections. In fact, I use the line so often and in so many variations that I sometimes lose sight of what it means to be supremely blessed. I forget how it feels to be completely and utterly overwhelmed by God's grace and every good thing he provides. It is so easy for me to spout the words, "hey, I'm blessed," and then get caught up in hardships and drama which I know have the tendency to pass. The cool thing about blessings--they're not something you "get through." I've found they penetrate time. They're the stuff you fall back on and the stuff that spurs you on to more and richer blessings throughout life. Friends (or just me), today I am overwhelmed by God's grace, and today I remember how it feels to be supremely blessed. So I'm going to document it. Not because I think it'll be interesting, but because I know how easy it is to forget. So read on, if you'd like. Or if you're in fact me, read on if you're forgetting how blessed you are.

First and foremost, I was and still am blessed with wonderful parents. These two darling 50 year olds who nag about my messy room and the fact that I don't text them back daily, they are the same two who loved me enough to have me baptized me as a mere babe and who welcomed me into God's family. I have been blessed with the love and support of the man who literally cries (in anger) over spilled milk yet absolutely spoils me rotten and of the woman who can hardly understand how to turn on a computer yet possesses all the knowledge of love and care in the world. I have been blessed with two built-in role models, and I can only hope for them to rub off on me.

I have been blessed with the brothers who would not stand for me to grow up a wimpy girl--and I truly thank the Lord for that. For the older brother who gave me stitches from too much rough play and for the little brother who hangs on my every word (whether or not that is good for him), I could not be more grateful.

I've been blessed with friends--the real kind. Not many people can say they have what I have. I have two best friends who will be with me until the bitter end--even if I temporarily feel as though we're far apart. If I say the word, they'd be there. They fill me to the brim with laughter and love. As I 9 year old I could not have possibly imagined how God would use them in my life. I fully expect to live with elephants and anvils, superheroes and singalongs for as long as I live.

I've been blessed with role models. I've had teachers I've sworn to mimic and friends who remind me what's right. Most amazingly, my life has been blessed by a mentor, pseudo-big brother, and friend who demonstrates the love of Jesus in every action and whose pride and love I strive to earn and keep. Center of the universe? Maybe not. But definitely the most influential and real example of a man of God that I've seen demonstrated in this life. Having those footsteps to even attempt to walk in--that's a blessing.

I've been blessed with a brain. I'm no rocket-scientist or surgeon, but God has given me the ability to think for myself, to be excited by knowledge, and to engage in conversation on meaningful topics. And I've been blessed with opportunity to use my brain and to develop my still naive view of the world. College was always the plan, and this is a blessing I often take or granted. Brainpower is a blessing.

I've been blessed with a healthy body which allows me to tai chi and potentially run marathons. I've been blessed with a voice which allows me to sing along with the radio and speak my mind. I've been blessed with an amazing home with a great big old flagpole which represents the amazing blessing of this land of opportunity and freedom and unity. I've been blessed by chicken wings and chocolate, with successes and with failures, with kindergarten soccer games and high school show choir, with love and with loss, with laughter and the occasional tear. I've been blessed with constant reminders of Christ's love. And seeing these blessings, knowing this love, allows only one option--to reflect this love and use this recognition to help others. For this I will strive, and my earnest prayer will remain for the opportunity to be the blessing to others that others have been to me, and for the courage and the strength to take on these opportunities with zeal. I thank the Lord for He has given me so much more than I deserve. I have been supremely blessed. This is not just a flippant statement used in an interview; this is not just a line that flows decently in an introduction letter. This is my reminder of everything my God has done for me and continues to do today; this is my recognition of joy.