Musing With a Purpose-Faith and Blessings
Last week, my friend, Anne Lyken-Garner, posted this question: "How do you stay focused on counting your blessings?" on her blog, and it got me thinking. Yes, I'm a religious person, a Catholic to be exact, but my faith isn't that strong. I believe in God's mercy! I believe in miracles! I've experienced these special touches three years ago when I literally handed my life over to God.
Since then I've learned to trust God, and listened to guidance when facing a difficult situation. I'm not a model Catholic. I don't go to church every Sunday. I can't quote the bible. I don't talk about religion with people, unless they ask about it. I don't worry about the end of the world. I don't think about natural disasters as God's punishment on us.
So "how do I stay focused on counting my blessings?" I start to count my blessing for the littlest thing, such as seeing a wild flower, the fact that I am able to see its beauty, and capture the moment. These mean my eyes are in good shape, my fingers are still working, and I am able to share it. That is a blessing in itself!
Anne mentioned about how we always asking for more, or praying for more! I am guilty of that, and caught myself the other day. I need to learn a new way to pray. I talk to God more likely than pray. I fall away from God these last few months, and I haven't able to find my way back to church just yet. I love my pastor! (Get that thought out of your head, it's not that way!) He moves me whenever I attended mass with him presiding.
I am not a holy person by any mean, and I don't want to be either! I'm far from that, but I do count my blessing at the end of the day, a house to live in for now, a car to get me to where I have to be, food to eat, healthy children, sun shine, rain, wind, birds, flowers, friends in real life, friends online, and numerous other things on this earth.
So "how do you stay focused on counting your blessings?" It is a question worth pondering upon, don't you think?
I am like you Icy, I am also not a model Catholic, I can't quote the Bible, I pray for guidance, thanksgiving, supplication and for others prayer requests, but I am not comfortable talking about religion especially if one talks to me convincing why my faith is wrong or why his/her faith is better, I prefer to respect each other's beliefs and practices, and that we all have our own unique relationship with God. I am thankful for all the simple yet wonderful blessings I have each day enjoyed through the years, not focusing on what others have but focusing on what my heart desires, and the bottom of our heart, our desire is God.
ReplyDeleteI am an agnostic christian...basically means, I believe in God and all, but as far as anything else, I am no longer sure. I used to attend church on a regular basis but now I struggle with my faith as I have prayed so many times for critical things in my life, to be rescued from pain and abuse, and it never happened. I have alot of questions now, etc. I won't dive into that here. But, just wanted to mention that I think I understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteAs far as counting my blessings...that's hard sometimes. I'm so much better at helping others create their blessings list...aka....lemonade from lemons list....but I struggle with that on my own. I too, need someone to help me make my list from time to time.
Hope you had a nice weekend.
definitely worth pondering about!
ReplyDeletesince i have a growing child, all i can teach is for her to be grateful for every single blessing God showers us with. i am no model Catholic as well like you - but i do count our blessings up to the smallest details. there are thousand and one things to be thankful for only if we "look" around us. :)
I am not very religious as I used to. I still have my firm belief in God though but in terms of practicing my religious... I am not good at it. But blessings is not based on religion. I count my blessings one blessing at a time. And thank God for them one blessing at a time too.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend.
Thanks so much for linking to me, Icy. I'm not 'religious' either, for this would indicate I believe in rituals and holy days etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Christian and go to worship every Sunday because God deserves my time, adoration and the praise I sing with the rest of His people. I teach Sunday school and try to be holy. God tells us that if we're his, we're holy just like He is. I think this is such a marvellous thing to be counted as 'set aside for a purpose.'
I love the way you count your blessings. This is such an inspiration to me. Like you said, being able to see and be touched by the beauty of this world is a huge blessing in itself.
I know you'll find your way back, the little time off you've taken is just to reflect within yourself. You've had it really hard recently. You're a good person with such a wonderful heart. It shows.
Icy, I truly believe that God lives within our hearts so we are the church. We "go to church" to lift one another up and to commune with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need church for our souls (spiritual food) just like our bodies need food for sustenance otherwise we may become malnourished spiritually.
ReplyDeleteI see God in everything, your lovely photos, yours and other's friendships, nature, my children...If I want to, I can dwell on things I am dissatisfied with or past hurts, but then I am robbing myself of the joys Jesus has for us. Like you, I count myself blessed for a million little and big things. Take care & God bless. Don't stay away too long, because it becomes harder to go back and you deserve the joy you find there. Love, your honorary sis
An excellent question and well worth taking some time to ponder. True happiness should be measured in the little things we have and not in the material things we desire.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for your comment and support!
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself over and over how lucky I am. Even doing things I hate or don't like, I try to see in a positive light. Also change your paradigm...when you're down, let it out, then say, thanks god for this and that...and it certainly wil bring you back to reality.
ReplyDelete