Counting, Not Missing My Birthday Blessings
Yes, June is my birthday month and for the last several years I’ve kept a tradition. I count my birthday blessings by posting something I am grateful for each day. I want to be sure I am counting, not missing my blessings.
June itself is a blessing! I remember as a little girl being so excited about summer. June meant:
The last day of school
My birthday on June 25th
6 months from my birthday it will be Christmas!
June meant swimming at my grandma’s cottage, sunning on the dock, taking the row boat out, and listening to the peepers at night. And, celebrating my birthday every year at the lake with my sister, Jan. Our birthdays are a day apart and we still love celebrating together whenever we can.
Seeing today’s blessings means being intentional!
So, I’m gathering my grateful gifts:
Day 8 – Pink peonies popping out all over. I look forward to their appearance every June and they make me smile. Peonies take three years to bloom but they are so worth the wait.
Speaking of waiting…
As I write this post, I’m waiting for the call to say we have travel approval to China. My daughter is adopting and I am her travel companion. I’m grateful to meet my new grandson and to be able to support them there while traveling.
Sometimes when I am waiting for something, I find it difficult to focus on the blessing in today. My mind is so distracted about what’s coming, I miss what is already here.
When I am #waiting for something, I find it difficult to focus on the blessing today. My mind is so distracted about what's coming, I miss what is already here. #CountTodaysBlessing Click To Tweet
So, this exercise every June really helps to train my heart to see what I have. And God loves it when we notice. I think that’s why I called my ministry, Pausing to See God Clearly. When I slow down, I can really see God at work and receive the blessings He gives.
To see my #blessings, it takes being intentional #PausingToSee Click To Tweet
More Daily Blessings This Month:
Day 9 – Loving my herb garden and especially the chives with the stunning purple flowers. Do you know they are edible? I put them in salads, egg salad, chicken salad. They have a wonderful mild onion flavor.
Day 10 – Gathered yesterday for our church family picnic and seeing new believers baptized. Love this family! And, cold watermelon slices. Gorgeous weather. Great friends. Good food!
TWO BLESSINGS Today – we have travel approval from China!!!
Day 11 – So blessed to have a mom who prays for me. She is a prayer warrior. She prays for me when I speak to women at retreats. So grateful for her faith! She shakes the heavens on her knees.
Day 12 – So much to be thankful for today as I prepare to leave for China. Thankful to God who knows the plans He has for me and my family…plans I could never have dreamed up on my own. And for these three precious grandsons who are grafted into our family tree.
I need to slow my pace so I can enjoy every bit of today. #Grateful for my #BirthdayMonth Click To Tweet
I need to slow my pace so I can enjoy every bit of today.
I can get so ramped sometimes, so taking a moment every day to appreciate the small gifts helps me to be intentional. I DO think God takes joy in seeing us love His gifts. He is so extravagant.
Gathering some peonies from my garden and creating a little bouquet with chive flowers makes me happy just looking at it. I can’t help but smile as I sit on my porch and enjoy the day.
So tell me, what made you smile today?
Jeanne
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The young lady that cleans for me called you see how I am doing! I have an episode of Vertigo and can’t drive! She will take me to get some fresh fruit and veggies this morning.
That is surely something and someone to be grateful for, Judith. I hope you are getting better every day. Thank you for sharing this with me today.
Sending lots or prayers for safety and travel mercies for you and your growing family ma’am.
Thank you, J.D. I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts.
Thank you for the reminders, Jeanne. I especially liked this line: “My mind is so distracted about what’s coming, I miss what is already here.” I can be so guilty of missing things around me if I’m waiting on a particular “blessing” that I think is on the way! Thanks for the reminder to keep my eyes open each day for the CURRENT blessings, not just watching for future ones.
What a great way to look at birthdays as blessings instead of moaning about our age. You do indeed have much to be thankful for. Congratulations on the adoption!