Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

Kimmy my daughter who looks after the printing end of our business just informed me that she needed an article from me. Usually I have one or two written in advance for her to use as a filler when she doesn't have enough adds sold to fill up the space in our monthly flyer. This time she caught me off guard and I had nothing prepared. Normally I try and write something to help our readers deal with the day to day problems we all have in common. Something to help them feel better and something that will brighten their day a little. So remember I didn't have much time to think about this and I certainly haven't had too many positive things happen to me in the past few weeks but here goes and please forgive me if I fall a little short this month but I will do my best.

As I seem to be overwhelmed with problems I have decided to focus on something else. Instead of counting my problems (which are many) I am going to focus on counting my blessings. You see by counting my blessings maybe my problems won't seem so overwhelming. What are blessings anyway. Here are the definitions I found.

Blessings

1. The act of one that blesses.

2. A short prayer said before or after a meal; grace.

3. Something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity; a boon.

4. Approbation; approval: This plan has my blessing.

In this article I would like to focus on number 3 mainly those things that contribute to happiness and well being. How seldom do we really count our blessings and how seldom do we actually recognize our blessings. How about a nagging mother or wife. Someone who really cares about you. Would you really want one who doesn't care ? Not really . Most of us want a mother or wife who cares and worries about us because they love us. Nagging is just what we have to contend with in relation to that blessing. Think about that and you will find the nagging will not bother you as much. You see in my opinion one of the greatest blessings in life is to be loved and have people care about you. This is a blessing often over looked as family comes with responsibility that is often considered a burden.

I want you to think about this. An hour spent with someone you love is more important than a lifetime spent with someone you do not love.

I want everyone to think about that for a minute. The sons who would rather be out with the boys than fishing with the old man. The daughters that would rather be out with their friends than stay home and play scrabble with their mom or grandmother. The older brother who hasn't time for his younger brother. The older sister who doesn't have time for her younger sister. Are you getting my point. Those moments in a lifetime when someone who loves you wants your company are just that moments. Moments that pass away and become opportunities lost . Blessings that we will cherish forever. Blessings that we will regret not taking advantage of down the road.

I have had the wonderful blessing of having my wife and two daughters work with me for many years. I have worried about the struggles I have put them through with my sometimes poor business decisions. (Yes I'm not that bright sometimes) I have worried about my intrusion into their marriages as the demands of the business, I'm sure has created stress in their relationships with their husbands. I have watched them become mothers and still manage to live up to the demands of keeping our business going. Along with their mother they have always been there loving and supporting me. How can you put a value on that blessing. I know that with all our times of struggle they will have the blessing of being able to look back at our times together and the obstacles we overcame together with the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something together as a family.

I have many more blessings that far out weigh the negatives. What are your blessings ? Do you have people who love you ? A warm place to live ? Food on the table ? Many in this world do not have any of those. Many of us are blessed here in our country and here in Nova Scotia. Let us all count our blessings and be thankful for what we do have in a world where many have so little. Yes it is cold but it is only 53 days until spring and 63 days until fishing season and a day on the lake. Now that is a blessing. In closing remember this as you struggle with life's problems. "All YOU CAN DO IS ALL YOU CAN DO" and all you can do is enough.

Larry Matthews