This post has been written to link with Five Minute Friday: write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. The prompt today is “blessing.”
It’s been 6 months now since I began recording blessings.
I decided at the start of this year to finish each day by writing down two or three things I was grateful for. It has been a surprisingly easy habit to establish, and it is simple, but remarkably effective.
As I look back at the list now, it reminds me how much I have to be thankful for: acts of love and friendship, words of encouragement, new experiences, simple pleasures that I might otherwise have taken for granted, and so much more.
I also rediscovered a quote which I copied into my journal at the start of the year. I’m uncertain of the origins, but I’ve found a lot of truth in the words:
“It is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy.”
It’s not that I see the world through rose-tinted lenses. As I look back over the last six months I am well aware of the evil in the world, I see the challenges faced by my nation and I remember several difficult situations on a personal level.
Counting our blessings does not deny the challenges and suffering, but it refuses to let them have the last word. Sometimes the miracle is not an absence of pain and difficulty, but the fact that blessings are there to be found even in the midst of hard times.
We may not always be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose our perspective, and I know that my life is richer today for choosing to seek the blessings and respond with gratitude.
What are you thankful for today?
Life in the Spacious Place 
I love the idea of a blessings journal! I’ve heard it before, but never implemented and think I will begin today. Thank you for the push!
I’m visiting from FMF 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’ll find it helpful, Angela. Let me know how you get on. Hope you have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Hi Lesley, what a wonderful weave of words to direct us to be thankful. Love the line: “Counting your blessings does not deny the challenges and suffering, but it refuses to let them have the last word.” Followed you here in WordPress. Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Julie! I’m glad you liked it. Hope your day is great too, and full of blessings!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these encouraging words! There are indeed blessings to be found in the midst of trials and suffering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Rachel. I’m glad you found it encouraging.
LikeLike
Yes, I agree with Julie. I love what you said about not allowing challenges to have the last word. I hope you have a lovely weekend! -Jolene
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jolene. You too!
LikeLike
“Counting our blessings does not deny the challenges and suffering, but it refuses to let them have the last word.” So good, Lesley. I’m learning too that having that spirit of gratitude for what I do have, versus what I do not, is such a God honoring perspective. He’s chosen well for me, and that is worthy of praise. Encouraged by your words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tiffany. Yes it’s much more helpful to be grateful for what we have instead of getting caught up in what we want. I agree, it honours God and shows that we trust him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that quote, “It is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy.” That is so very true. I also like your idea to each evening write down a couple of things to be thankful for. When I go do to Thankful Thursday on my blog, I sometimes have trouble remembering the blessings of the week. I think I will try to do what you are doing. Thanks for sharing the idea. I hope you have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Cathy. I hope you find it helpful as you write blessings down each day. Hope you have a great weekend too!
LikeLike
So much THIS: “Counting our blessings does not deny the challenges and suffering, but it refuses to let them have the last word!” I’m over in the 11 spot this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tara. I loved your post too!
LikeLike
I have gotten out of the habit of counting my blessings, and I need to get back to it. My natural mind is bent toward the pessimistic and cynical. I have to ask God to give me the ability to see all the countless, sometimes small, ways that He graces my life each day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not easy when life is hard. I think we do need God’s help to see the blessings sometimes.
LikeLike
Many of us have recorded our blessings and then stop because we forget. Six months is a good long time. You have yielded the fruit of tracking consistently. Some friends and I used to text each other every evening and share 3 gratefulnesses. I loved that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does make a difference to do it consistently. I like your idea of sharing with friends each day too.
LikeLike
Another great post, Lesley. I especially loved the insight you closed with, that while we aren’t always able to choose our circumstances, we can choose our perspective. That makes all the difference, especially when walking through a dark valley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Barbara. I’m encouraged by how you live that out in your own difficult circumstances.
LikeLike