Reality Check

Powerful words aren't they??  They certainly got my attention.  In this world of bigger, better, and more I often forget how truly blessed I am.  Here's ten quick blessings I can rattle off the top of my head, that someone may be longing and praying for right now.  And after this post, which will be short and sweet so as not to dilute the words above, I'm going to take steps to appreciate those blessings in a tangible way.

1. The Husband - never did there live a more patient man. He has proven time and again his love for me by standing by when I'm hurting, lifting me up when I can't see over the hurdles, rejoicing with me during the successes, and always, always keeping his sense of calm, and humor.  I love you Hon!

2. My Daughter - what a breath of fresh air she is.  She surrounds herself with music and just the right dose of whimsy.  Yet I would be hard pressed to find a better, more active listener.  Her emotional intelligence is among the highest in my life.  I love you Girlie!

3. My Son - this man is such a comfort and joy.  He is very intuitive and knows just when to draw near and pursue my heart.  He inherited his Father's constant pleasant nature, and he gives GREAT and timely hugs.  I love you buddy!

4. My extended family - if you have yet to experience the Libby-Meyer clan, or any of it's long tributaries, then you are just missing out on a great thing in life.  Though we are far flung, we are tight knit and mighty.  Woe to the one who tries to harm one of us.  I shudder to think of the last poor soul who did.  But I signed an agreement not to talk about it. ;)  At any given time I could send out an SOS to a huge number of people and receive immediate help.  We currently have a group text message going around with about 10 of us.  We share daily happenings, harries, and hallelujah's.  It's awesome to stay in touch with cousins, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles.  Love you guys!

5. My plethora of friends - I know people all over the place, from all walks of life.  And each one has blessed my life so abundantly.  In the past two days I have had a close close friend call each day just for a heart to heart.  These experiences are my gold in life.  To know and be known.  I am so enriched. I truly love you all and am so grateful for you!!

6. My warm home - I remember being an apartment dweller and longing for home ownership.  Just for the quiet, and the freedom to do crazy things like vacuum at 0300 if I wanted to.  I still remember moving into our first home.  The Husband and I kept looking at each other with huge grins.  Such a milestone.  I love our home.  So many memories.  It's modest, and not decorated fantastically...but it's ours...it's home.

7. My reliable car - The Husband and I value being able to count on our cars.  Early in our marriage we decided to buy new, buy well, and keep that car for at least ten years, taking excellent care of it in the process.  It's proven to be a good decision.  We've never been stranded by the side of the road, and we have established close relationships with the few cars that we have owned.  It's time for a moment of silence when we finally trade one in.

8. Our full refrigerator - it pains me a bit to admit that I struggle with finding room in our fridge for leftovers.  It is always chock full of delicious fresh vegetables, yummy homemade leftovers, exotic sauces and the means to make many more meals.  Again...such a blessing.

9. Our jobs - even though we are in a time of flux right now, God keeps providing.  A forgotten check found here, an unexpected payout of unused leave time there...He is faithful.  

10. My freedom - I can't imagine living anywhere other than the United States of America.  We have SO many opportunities here.  Dream a dream. Put boots to the ground.  You can make it happen.  There will always be varying criticism of government and how it's run.  But we live in an amazing country.  Many many people are taking huge risks for the chance to live here.  And many more are paying the ultimate, to keep it free.

I hope life is being very kind to each one of you right now.  But on the odd chance that it isn't, take a minute to gain some perspective.  Maybe the very thing you are wrestling with or not getting along with, someone else longs for.  If this happens to be a spouse or child, perhaps that longing person will accept C.O.D?? ;)  You get the point.  

Make it a great day!