Counting My Blessings

As I sit at my desk this morning, I happened to glance over at the wall and really looked at some of the things hanging there. I began to wonder at the things we collect in our lives to decorate our homes, to decorate ourselves and our lives. God has been so good to me, I have more than I ever imagined I could ever accumulate. Just over 13 years ago, I had nothing but a suit of clothes, a blanket, a single wine glass and a ring that had been recovered from the fire. Today my possessions fill up my 1313 sq ft house, most of the attic above the house and a 250 sq ft barn. All of this has been accumulated while I've been on Social Security Disability.

And I've given away quite a bit of stuff, over the past 10 years, as well. But, it's just stuff. When I lost everything, I got back up, brushed myself off and said, "I can move on and I will have more stuff." But, what do we really decorate our lives with? The stuff hanging on our walls? The clothes we wear? Or the friends and family that we hold close? How about decorating our lives with the love and message of Christ? Do we decorate our lives with His love, His grace and mercy?

There are two things I long to hear when I stand before Him on that day I leave this planet: "Well done" and I want to hear those who knew me say, "He shone with the light and love of God."

I count my wealth in the number of friends I have, today. Most of my life I limited myself to just a couple friends, although I had many acquaintances; due to the manner in which I grew up, I just didn't trust opening myself up to many people and I had such abandonment issues, I refused to allow myself to be open to the hurt and heartache that I was certain would come from allowing many people into my life. With Christ, I have learned that even the risk of being hurt is worth the love and companionship you receive from friends and family. Jesus loved the entire planet: every man and woman who has ever been, or will ever be born, and He was left utterly and completely alone at Calvary. Talk about rejection and abandonment! Yet, He continues to love and open Himself up to every single one of us, knowing we have the option to reject Him even after He paid the ultimate price for us. If He can do that, I can open myself up to not only the love, but the possibility of pain.

I'm very grateful for my life, today. I have the love and support of so many wonderful people, even though they know I have not the means to bestow any material gifts on them, they love me for WHO I am, not what I can give. Just the way I love God. Not for all the blessings He has, will and can give. But because He is God. He sent His Son to die to redeem my soul. Now that's love!