Living Life On Purpose

Today, I am feeling a tad bit sad. Yesterday, an acquaintance died in a traffic accident. Last week, I discovered a marriage I tried to emulate in my own was falling to pieces. There's been a recent death of a young cousin and another cousin is dealing with a catastrophic illness in her family. Smoldering fires in the Great Dismal Swamp have forced me to seek professional medical help. The company my husband worked for for more than 34 years is going out of business. Hurricane Irene blew threw the area the weekend before Labor Day, my only son is gone off to college and my husband is losing his mind. I feel quite alone.

Whew . . . that felt pretty good!

I could sit here and write about everything that is going wrong in my life and in the lives of those I cherish, but I'm not going to waste my time or this blog wallowing in self-pity. Today, I am going to count my blessings and rejoice in this day that the Lord has made. I woke up this morning and that's a blessing. I awoke with a good measure of health and that's a blessing. I awoke in my right mind, although sadness hovered over me like a blanket, and that's a blessing. I had food in the fridge, more than we could eat this month, and that's a blessing. I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back . . . and that's a blessing. I have family and extended family . . . living and well and that's a blessing. I've always got someone to talk to about whatever is on my mind.

I think I will have to take the 100 Days of Thankfulness Challenge and practice counting my blessings instead of dwelling on problems. I need to finish the challenge of reading The New Testament before year's end and place myself on a study schedule. The hubby and I need to concentrate on putting the house back together . . . once and for all, and my houseplants need work for the transition indoors.

See . . . I really don't have time to dwell on the negative. I've got to keep moving forward and keeping my eyes to the hills where my strength and help come. Lord, thank you for allowing me to see another day. Forgive my sins for they are many. Bless my family and keep them safe from hurt, harm and evil. Thank you for my daily bread and thank you for the privilege of coming to you in prayer . . . ANY TIME. Amen.