I just finished watching a touching Facebook/YouTube video of three sisters singing "It is Well with My Soul."
And it is.
I've been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but got busy with the holiday, and didn't do it. I'm glad I waited because I heard a sermon in church Sunday that gave me a different perspective on what I originally intended to say (thank you, Bill Cummins!).
The main point for me came from Mark 6:52: the disciples did not understand Jesus' miracle of providing food for the multitude. The speaker noted that they had been present for all of Jesus' miracles, and had been His constant companions, so why didn't they understand? Maybe because they were focused on the blessing instead of on the Giver of the blessing?
So, before I begin to "count my blessings," I want to pause and acknowledge the Giver of Blessings, Jesus Christ, who freely provides me with all good things; the One who is the Author and the Finisher of my salvation (and my health!). The blessings we receive appear to come from all kinds of earthly sources, but in the end, they all come from God. This post wouldn't be complete without acknowledging and thanking Him first, so I do that now.
One of the biggest blessings of late is that my choices for healthcare are starting to merge into one clear, concise direction. My ob-gyn is a fellow in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and I have learned from her that there are MD's in the neurology discipline who also practice complementary medicine, and I've learned how to find them. Other information I learned from her substantiates what I already know from my experience with the Life Wellness Center, and from my own research, as well as from research done on my behalf by my family.
Another confirming piece of information came from the lady at our local health food store, Franklin Cornucopia. She knows I have Parkinson's and shared information this week that directly aligned with the wonderful care I've been receiving from the lymphedema drainage experts, Joshua and Yolanda, of the Life Wellness Center.
Next blessing: I've received great encouragement in my pursuit of becoming an excellent writer. Special thanks to one of my former elementary students, now grown, who gave me valuable information to further my future writing career. My mother's online writing school, Creative Writing Institute, has been, and continues to be a valuable resource. My blog presents new opportunities, and I found further encouragement and help from my adopted New Zealander sister, who is a published author. I could go on about this topic, but it probably wouldn't interest anyone but me! Suffice it to say, I am blessed.
And then there's my job...every indication is that my stress level will be dramatically diminished by the end of October, due to significant changes in my job description. If that were my only blessing, I could have filled this entire post! Reduction of stress is imperative if I am to remain in the workforce for the foreseeable future. I have not figured out how to manage my stress, so until I do, for my health's sake, I need to eliminate it. I am so grateful that the Giver of Blessings is managing that stress for me by altering events outside my control!
The blessings go on and on, but it's late, and this post feels longer than usual, so I'll end.
If you take nothing else away, know that we are blessed. If you can't see your blessings, sit still, open your heart, and listen. Get re-acquainted with the Giver of Blessings. Your eyes will be opened and you will see.
Blessings to you,
Goodnight.
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