Aug 13 2008
Counting my blessings
Last night I finished up some emails and some Skyp-ing and went to “finish” cleaning the kitchen… only it turned out that you can’t finish something that hasn’t even been started! I decided that for once, instead of griping about it, I would try to do it joyfully. After all, I’m the one who wanted to stay home and be in charge of the house. So I made myself a rum and coke (what every good ex-pat drinks when overseas) and started in on the mountain of dishes. As I washed I started thinking about all the ways I am blessed, and here’s what I came up with:
1. I washed with hot water. Many houses here (read: most) don’t have hot water from the faucet.
2. I washed with running water in my sink inside the house, not water drawn from a well or communal faucet, or from a river. I wasn’t battling mosquitos outside, but was inside my own kitchen.
3. I had lights in the kitchen and ice from a freezer, both of which require electricity. Not all my neighbors have this luxury.
4. I was coming from email and online conversations held in my own living room. Last time I lived in Honduras, it was a 30 minute trip, including a walk across/through 3 rivers and a ride in the back of a pickup or an old crappy school bus, into town to find an internet cafe whose internet/phones were working 1/3 as well as mine do today.
5. Upstairs, my three children and husband were sleeping peacefully (or watching the Olympics) and were happy and healthy. I am both happy and healthy, too.
We truly are blessed. I hope you are inspired to count your blessings today, too.
I’ve found that counting my blessings is the baseline
for my sanity and my charity. The only way I can
freely give the gift(s) I’ve been given is to be keenly
aware of them at all times. I try to start and end my
days this way. This has pulled me out of many a
‘blue mood’ and been a sure reality check. I can start
counting my blessings but never seem to be able
to enumerate them all. Many I haven’t even recognized
yet! Surprises for tomorrow!!!
Erika, I love so much reading your thoughts. Thank you for sharing them on your blog.
Most of my Myette time was with your boys, whom I absolutely love!! I wish I could have spent more time talking to you. It’s a privilege to be able to read the reflections of a young mother of deep faith. I will be checking your blog frequently. Know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Please give some hugs to Michael and Jacob for me!