Counting My Blessings

Our family just returned from a week of vacation. The last part of the week was spent at a cabin near Houghton Lake. It is quiet there and I had some time to really think.

The last few months have definitely been challenging. God has really been teaching me a lot about leadership and ministry. There have been times recently that I have questioned whether or not it would be easier to go back to "civilian" life because ministry is too hard. The stress levels have been higher than ever in our marriage, our family and our church. These questions don't linger long because I know that is not a possibility. Our life is based on a decision to follow the call that God has placed on our lives and honestly we could not "do" anything else but what we are doing. During these difficult times, I have to remember that God works everything out for good and for His glory. I have to remember that He will not give us more than we can bear with His help. I have to return to my life verse, "Be still, and know that I am God." I have to allow God to hold me in His comforting arms and reassure me of His call in my life.

During this week of vacation, I was reminded of the many blessings that are in my life. I have a great God who created the beautiful woods that are full of trees, deer, ducks, birds, chipmunks and of course turkeys! He created the beautiful lakes that we enjoy in our beautiful state.
He blessed me with the most Godly man I know as my husband and best friend. He has given us an amazingly strong marriage and has blessed us both with the call to minister together. He has given me two wonderful daughters who love to learn more about Him and with whom I love spending time. He has blessed our family with the gift of laughter! We have so much fun together!

Ministry may be hard, but it is also full of blessings! We have the awesome privilege of seeing people accept Christ into their lives. We have the fulfilling blessing of seeing people grow in their knowledge and faith in God. We feel so honored to see people make the decision to follow the call that God has placed on their lives to go into full time ministry. We share in the lives of people we love during good times and hard times. We rejoice with them during weddings, babies and other victories in their lives. We cry with them during funerals, illnesses and many hurtful times. We have a family that extends beyond our home to our Christian family.

We both have great parents and siblings. I start a new job tomorrow. My family lives in a beautiful home. I could go on and on! I am truly abundantly blessed. It is sad that I allow difficult times to make me forget that sometimes.

If you are reading this, you are probably one of the great blessings that God has placed in my life! Thanks!

I have so much to be thankful for and so much to learn!!