This is the worst year ever! Those six words have longed to roll off my tongue for months now. But as they form, I have to stop them. I bite my tongue and chomp those negative words down.
And I’ve heard from many of you, that your 2017 seemed to be the worst and most challenging of years. Oh how I hear you loud and clear. 2017 was a doozy for many — not to mention tragedies caused by hurricanes, floods, and shootings. How does one process the personal attacks that 2017 dealt?
I know you’re probably planning your send off for 2017 with a big “thank you very much for nothing and be-gone-with-you” party. But before you rush into 2018 full of anticipation, let’s stop and ponder.
Good-bye 2017.
Last year was a whopper for me. If you’ve been around here awhile, you know I had a traumatic head injury which resulted in all my hair falling out within 21 days. That’s the way I welcomed in 2017 — Hello, trials and struggles!
It was a year of grief, healing, and pondering my identity (more on that coming soon, because somethings are just too hard to talk about in the moment).
Not fun at all! And you know because you’ve had your own trials to sort through and overcome. And I’ve learned that sometimes letting go of what we think 2017 should have looked like helps us see more clearly the value of those 365 days.
Counting the blessings of our days.
The reason I can’t let those six words fall out of my mouth is because despite all the hard times, many good things did happen. And I think good things surrounded you too! We see what our eyes are fixed on.
When my eyes were staring at my weakness, hurting cranial bones, and bald head that’s all I saw. Hardship, hurt, and trials.
And then when I opened my mind to think more upon my blessings rather than my trials, I was amazed! Gifts were there — many blessings hidden away in the hours of my days:
God was there continually. You were there to encourage.
Help came from family, friends, and strangers. Always at the right time.
Answers came although slowly. Thank you awesome doctors!
My precious third grandchild was born.
My daughter got married and many helped to make that a fairy-tale wedding. (Shout out to FilmStrong for the incredible video)
Neighbors and friends checked in on me.
And my list goes on and on.
When I put my eyes on the blessings, there they were — many of them.
Make your list.
The remaining hours of this year, don’t let those six words, this was the worst year ever, fall out of your mouth. Instead run and get a notebook and begin counting your blessings. They are there, I know they are.
The fact that you and I can say we lived those 365 days is a miracle.
When your eyes are fixated on your troubles too long, you might have a hard time counting blessings off the top of your head.
This day STOP and look for blessings — count the gifts — God, moments, people, sunshine, memories, finances, strangers, health, hope, and on and on.
Once you change the perspective of where you look, you’ll see them. They might be buried, but they are there to be uncovered.
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Psalm 103:2 NLT
Dear One so ready to say good-bye to 2017, I get you. I hear you! But may you and I remember to count the blessings that each year brings. I’d love to hear about your blessings — give me a shout and fill me in.
Blessings are plentiful when you and I look for the good things. Oh yes, may we never forget the good things!