Count Your Blessings

I don’t know about you, but I like being happy. I like when the sun is shining and it’s 80 degrees outside. I like when I am spending time with my family and friends. I like when I can hang in my ENO and read. Then I realized: that happiness will always be circumstantial. My true happiness should come from my identity in Christ.


I’ve started keeping a journal of my blessings. The first day I wrote in it, I immediately thought of more than 50 things I’m thankful for. Some days I find it harder than others to sit and be appreciative for this life, but every time I do, it changes my perspective on that day. When I take the time to praise my gracious and giving Father for all the blessings He has entrusted me with I can’t help but bask in joy and gratitude. 

Sure it’s easy to be happy when things are going the way we want, but what about when they stray from our plans? Last time I checked, God knows what is best for me. He knows what I need. He has been showing me I have too much to be thankful for to be complaining about what I don’t like. I realize how selfish I am for asking for something different or something more than what He gives me. 

Praise God from whom all blessing flow! Praise Him for knowing the true needs of my heart! Praise Him for being a loving God who provides for His children!
I encourage you to begin keeping a notebook of your blessings. I can guarantee you will think of more things you have to be thankful for than to complain about.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:19
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
-1st Chronicles 29:13

Allie Todd CDA RDA

www.smileteam4u.com

Fan or Follower?

The year 2013 is here and January is already half over. How many of us made resolutions for this year? Maybe it was to lose weight, have more patience, be a better cook, or even just to laugh more. I know I did. Well, my resolution actually turned into a 2013 Bucket List of things I wanted this life to give me over the next 12 months.

While sitting in church on Sunday, conviction poured over my soul like water. They asked the simple question, "Are you a fan (of Jesus Christ) or a follower?" After I looked over the past year(s) of my life I felt ashamed. Had I truly wasted another year just proclaiming my love for Christ without living his love with open arms? Had I really followed Jesus or had I just expressed how much I loved him? Now, don't misunderstand me, resolutions can be a great thing. They push us to be better than we were the year before but are our resolutions just to better our looks, our houses, our bank accounts, etc.? Or is our resolution to become what Christ intended for us - A City on a Hill?

I challenge you in 2013 to ask yourself this question: Are you a fan or a follower? Maybe the answer we find will encourage us to be more; to be the light of the world. You never know what He may entrust in you. And you may even be able to conquer that addiction to sugar along the way.

• Matthew 5:17 (NLT) - You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 
• Matthew 16:24 (NIV) - Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
• John 8:12 (NIV) -  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

Chalice, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com