We.Are.Blessed.

Sometimes I look around and literally have to stop everything to really take in how incredibly blessed I am. From the people I'm surrounded by, the Godly influences in my life, the absolute beauty of the world around me (especially Lynchburg in the fall... Nothing better), an amazing university to attend and become better equipped to serve Christ, friendships that have powerfully changed and impacted my life, and ultimately, the pure essence of life itself. 

We always use the common phrase, "count your blessings", but how often do we really take even just a minute to recognize the hundreds of aspects in our lives where we are SO blessed?

How often do we take a deep breath in; the crisp fall air surrounding us, glance around at the changing leaves, the colors of fall, the bright blue, clear sky.. Or look around when we're surrounded by the most important people in our lives and be able to see how God orchestrated those relationships to grow you, encourage you, challenge you to grow towards Christ..

Why is it so easy to let the miniscule things ruin our entire day and completely fail to acknowledge the huge ways that God revealed Himself to us that day?

I, myself, am becoming convicted even as I write this, because if I'm being honest... there are days where it is hard to see through the stress, the frustrations, and the things of the past that bubble up from time to time. It's sad that it is sometimes hard to enjoy the little blessings in our lives daily but are so prone to let minor things ruin our entire day.

We're surrounded by constant beauty, and grace, and mercy, and love. Every minute, of every day. Whether we choose to see the good in things, or the bad in each moment, we.are.blessed. 

Every heartbeat. Every breath. Every smile.

Each moment of stillness when everything seems to feel 'just right'.

Every encouraging conversation. Each time we have a hand to hold, a tear of joy to shed, or someone to pray for and over us. 

For each time everything seems to be going wrong, we have a million reasons to smile.

For each moment where we feel as though we're breaking, we're in the midst of a moment where God is moving graciously around us.

For each day that we could let ourselves remain frustrated and stressed, we could be missing out on the beauty of God around us each and every minute.

A new look at "count your blessings", I think. 

I've been stopping so many times lately and find myself smiling to myself because I am so overjoyed and humbled by the blessings from a gracious and loving God.

Maybe our lives wouldn't seem so complicated and so disappointing if we'd realize that we are surrounded by the blessings of a loving Father... Which are far more powerful than the things that go wrong each day. 

 Change our perspective.

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

 "You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken." Psalm 21:1-7.