Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Her Children Call Her Blessed

"Her children rise up and call her blessed"--this excerpt from Proverbs 31 is the thought that keeps popping into my mind as I consider a list of my blessings.  It's such an active description--"her children rise up and call her blessed"--they don't just notice what's going on in her life and move on to the next random thought or activity.  Her blessings provoke them to action and to proclamation; a testimony to those with whom they have contact.  What do they notice; what captures their attention; what instructs them in a life lived well?  These are all worthy questions in considering our blessings. 

In my life, I must ask not only "What are my blessings?", but also "Do my children, my husband, the people in every area of my life, know what I consider them to be?"  If I am honest with myself, I'm certain they could easily compile a list of my pet peeves and household rules.  But, can they enumerate my blessings?  I can hope that I have lived my blessings out-loud for them--but have I?  One thing is certain, in order for others to be aware of the blessings that touch my life, I must first be aware of them and honor each blessing by acknowledging its role in shaping who I am. 


This famous Emerson quote has long been a favorite of mine.  I have it on the bulletin board above my desk at work where I see it each day.  It may be that I have read it too many times; perhaps I have stopped considering what it truly means.  In order to live as a blessed person, I must be ever mindful of my blessings!  There is no other way for others to be aware of my blessings--I must audibly acknowledge them; I must be on the look-out for each blessing that comes my way, each and every day.  To that end, my list would begin like this:

  • I was raised by in a Godly household; influenced by a mother who lived her faith in her daily decisions, both large and small.  She remains, to this day, one of the most passionate advocates for Jesus that I have ever met.  My childhood and adolescence were, through her deliberate choice, filled with education, activities, and church responsibilities that tied me to God and to His church in ways that have lasted all my life.
  • My husband loves me unconditionally.  It is a rare man who knows how to love his wife as Christ loves the church.  I'm not saying he's perfect, but I am saying that in 29 years, I have never once doubted his passion and fidelity.  I wonder each day how we could come to love each other more and then wake up the next day to find that we do.
  • My children are my favorite companions, next to my hubby, and I could not possibly be more proud of the young adults they have become.  Each time I look down the pew at church and see them there with me--of their own volition, not my insistence--I praise God for them and pray for His continued work in their lives.
  • I have an extended family that loves me, supports me, prays for me, and accepts me.  Not just my relatives--but my husband's family, also.  How many women can say that their mother-in-law is one of their dearest friends?  I can!
  • My co-workers are a family away from home and I am able to work in an environment where it is easy to speak about my faith and to receive the encouragement of others who love the Lord.  We have celebrated together and we have grieved together and I look forward to seeing them each day.

Clearly, my blessings are enormous and touch every facet of my life.  I could go on for pages about the ways that God has filled my life with security, peace, and joy.  He has also used some tragic events I have experienced to point out these blessings and to teach me to treasure each one.

And so the choice is clear:  think and speak about my peeves and annoyances OR think and speak about my blessings.  I choose the latter, in hopes that my children will be able to rise up and call me blessed.


8 comments:

  1. I have never read that quote before. So powerful to remind us to think & speak about our blessings and not our pet peeves. Thank you for saying this so openly and honestly.

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    1. I'm so glad it was a blessing to you! I love the Emerson quote because it is so short and easy to remember throughout the day. Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

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  2. Sandi this blog is absolutely a blessing. I have in my prayer notebook things printed out about my children rising up and calling me blessed. That's my prayer and hope as I continue in this daily walk with Him. I love that quote and also one similar that says in Matthew 15:8 (NIV) that says "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them" and that quote from Proverbs 23:7 "as a man thinketh so is he". Thank you for a beautiful, beautiful blog and I have found the past weeks as I am going through various things - like losing my mother and some other life issues that I find myself content because I am dwelling on Him and how He has bless me! Hugs!

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement--I love your blog posts, and always learn so much from them, so your comment on mine means a great deal to me!
      It never ceases to amaze me just how much of our circumstances are determined by our mindset--I'm working hard on my focus, these days :)

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  3. Sandi, love it! You are blessed! One thing I love about you is your positive attitude. You always look for the good and therefore, you find it! Give Katie a hug for me! :)
    Beth A.

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  4. :) I love the blessing posts!!!

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  5. Hi Sandi,
    Thank you for the reminder that I need to seek my blessings on a daily basis.
    I also loved this "I must first be aware of them and honor each blessing by acknowledging its role in shaping who I am."
    Tameka

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  6. Sandy, thank you so much for the reminder, that we not only need to recognize our blessings, but we need to ensure those we're blessed with and from, know who they are and how they bless us! I need to work on this for sure!

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