Blessed in the worst of circumstances

My friend's husband, Kevin, took a minor league baseball to the face yesterday. Fractured eye sockets, broken nose, shattered sinus cavities and now they are watching for swelling in his brain. I have no idea why these things happen. They just do. But even as they are listening to trauma cases come in - 2 gunshot wounds just this morning - in inner city Baltimore as they monitor Kevin's brain, they are blessed. Blessed it was Kevin that took the ball to the head, not their son Jeffrey. Who is only 4. Blessed that he is in the best trauma unit in area. Blessed her parents can come down and live with the boys. Blessed that they can be together. And blessed that his eyes are okay.

We are blessed even in the darkest night, in the worst of circumstances. And perspective helps us see that. I pray that you will see the blessings in your own dark nights whatever they may be, however small.

Peace be with you ~

Bev

A Glorious Day to Be Alive!

Yep, I'm easy. Easy to please. It's a blue sky, warm, breezy day. And I'm an inordinately grateful for it. Blessed to be spending the day working at home and to live in such a peaceful place. Grateful for my new sweet neighbors, children I both love AND like, and everyone's good health. I even get to see the eye doctor today - pun intended! Nothing like having blurry vision for months to help you understand the blessing of clear vision. Literally and figuratively. The ability to see every crisp edged green leaf on our front tree. And clear eyed vision to see things as they are and not as you wish or fear they might be. Today is yet another opportunity to look at life with fresh eyes.

And for my friends who like to go there with me, today's Upper Room prayer relates:

"Holy god, give us courage to look at ourselves in light of who you call us to be. Then help us to open ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Amen" Amen indeed!

Baby Ducklings

Today I'm thankful that the storms are coming and we'll get a break from too humid weather we've had today. I'm much, MUCH more grateful for the evening last night and early part of the day spent with my St. Margaret's family. They are such a loving and joyful bunch! And I'm thankful that Amy woke up to eight baby call ducks in her backyard. They are hard to breed and this is the first successful hatching she has ever had. Not to mention they are ridiculously cute!

Blessed - why in the world I decided to blog about it and what does it have to do with you?

Guess what? There are a great many blogs out there about being blessed. And what a delightful "problem" to have finding a blog name that isn't already taken. So here is the deal. I am very blessed and very, very grateful for it. And I know that you are, too... blessed that is. Some of you realize it, and likely some of you don't.

I figure it is high time to share. To recognize the blessings that come to us in all way - both Huge and quite small. For God's blessings extend in all reaches of our lives, not just new jobs or the finding the "right" person. This morning I'm grateful that I have a God who loves me, children I love right down to a cellular level, and friends and family who are incredibly dear to me. And I have a place to live, food to give my children, I'm healthy, employed and my car (though as old as Ben) runs just fine. The list is huge and I won't go on lest your eyes glaze over and you begin drooling on the keyboard.

But while the purpose of this blog is to count my blessings over time and seasons, it is also just as much a venue for you to recognize and share yours.

Today I am grateful for the chance for my family to share in time spent with friends, that the sun is shining, that Bill is home with the Lord and settling in there, that Amy will likely let me bum fresh chicken eggs off her this morning, and that I am simply alive another day to write this.

What are you grateful for this morning, this day?