See What God Hath Done

I went to put something away in my basement this morning before running out the door to go to church and found a lot of water, all ice-cold and perky, ready to greet me (or my feet anyway) with a big wet kiss!  Luckily, we keep almost everything in plastic bins and off of the floor so nothing important was lost.  I just had to laugh and thank God for protecting my precious things from being ruined.  

It was the second indication in less than 24 hours that God is watching out for us.  

Last night, as we were returning from a fishing trip to the lake, we got a flat tire.  I counted this as a HUGE BLESSING, because it happened 1) while I was with Steve, 2) not far from our home, and 3) it didn't happen earlier this week while we were driving to or from Cleveland (a 5 hour trip with kids in tow!).

As Steve painstakingly changed our tire last night (using what he deemed a completely inadequate jack), I sat comfortably in the front seat, knitting Guy's new blankie, and I just reflected on what a blessing it all was.  And I felt completely awash with GRATITUDE to the Lord.  I felt calm, safe, and protected.

So to find a few inches of water in my basement this morning was just another ridiculously lovely sight, because it was just more proof to me that God exists, that he cares about us, and that he is involved in the intimate details of our lives.

I see these events as subtle reminders that we go from day to day by the grace of God.  I am pretty sure that if we knew how many accidents and troubles he and his angels have saved us from during the course of our day, we'd all fall to our knees and praise him -- and we'd live life a little fuller, a little happier, and a little more gratefully.

After picking up some wet boxes and such, I decided that more than anything I wanted to take the kids to church so that we could all take the sacrament today.  This was an act of gratitude to God that I did not want to miss doing...not today.  The basement would keep for an hour or so.  So that is what we did.

And of course, the rest hymn was "Count Your Many Blessings"...and the final hymn was "Scatter Sunshine".  (There was also an awesome talk on faith by my friend Kacie that I'm glad I didn't miss.)  I've highlighted some of the lyrics that touched me today.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

In a world where sorrow

Ever will be known,

Where are found the needy,

And the sad and lone;

How much joy and comfort

You can all bestow,

If you scatter sunshine

Everywhere you go.

Refrain

Scatter sunshine all along your way;

Cheer and bless and brighten

Every passing day;

Scatter sunshine all along your way;

Cheer and bless and brighten

Every passing day.

Slightest actions often

Meet the sorest needs,

For the world wants daily

Little kindly deeds;

Oh, what care and sorrow

You may help remove,

With your songs and courage,

Sympathy and love.

Refrain

When the days are gloomy,

Sing some happy song;

Meet the world’s repining

With a courage strong;

Go with faith undaunted

Thro’ the ills of life;

Scatter smiles and sunshine

O’er its toil and strife.

Despite a breakdown over the loss of blankie a few days ago, and a flooded basement, and a flat tire...the burden we are asked to bear is not heavy or hard to carry.  Calling it a burden is really an exaggeration, especially compared to what trials we could be facing.

Right now, a friend of mine, actually an entire family of friends of mine is standing by waiting for their mother, the great matriarch of their family, to pass from this life to the next.  Their cross must be unbearable, even with the great faith that they have.  This will be a supreme loss for them.

So, while my husband is downstairs shopvacing our basement floor, I am counting my blessings...and baking bread and cookies and dinner to take over to this family.  Because we have been blessed...and for today, we have been spared, and because I love them, and because it is what they would do--and have done-- for me in my hour of need.

Who can you help today? Who's burden can you share?  What trial can you look to with gladness?  Walk with confidence knowing that God is truly over all.