Counting My Blessings

"Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God hath done." 

 Last week I celebrated my birthday.  That is always a great reminder of how blessed I am.  All week long I was reminded that people love me and care about me.

It started with an email a couple days before my birthday.  A friend sent me a message that said she wanted to wish me a happy birthday, even though she couldn't remember the exact date.  All she could remember was "October" so she just went ahead and sent it.  I thought that was a nice gesture.  

I also got a phone call that day from someone who knew what day my birthday is, but she knew she was going to be super busy on my actual day.  She didn't want to miss it so she called early.

As the week progressed,  I got to celebrate at school.  More than one person brought treats to celebrate, and there was a birthday banner hanging on my door.

On the actual day,  I was inundated with texts and Facebook messages.  I appreciate people taking a minute out of their busy lives to a send me a message.  I tried to acknowledge each and everyone with a return message of thanks.  Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming and hard to keep up with.  (If I missed you, please know that I didn't mean to.)

A special friend asked Hannah and me to tea that day.  I so enjoyed that time with her and her daughter.  My daughter insisted that we dress up:  "It's your birthday so you have to look pretty, Mama."   How do you argue with that kind of logic?  It was so much fun to drink tea from real china teacups and eat dainty little sandwiches and other goodies.  When we got there, I felt extra special because the tea room had a sign acknowledging my birthday.  I even had a cookie with my name on it.  It was almost too cute to eat.  (I did say almost; after all, what am I going to do with an uneaten cookie?)   Not only did I get invited to tea, but my friend had gone the extra mile to let them know ahead of time that it was my birthday.  All in all, it was a great experience for me and one that I won't soon forget.

I also got to go out to eat with my family and be appropriately spoiled by them all day long.  My children told me happy birthday every time we were in the same room together!  Although hearing it that many times is not really necessary, it was just a little thing they could do that made me feel special.

The thing about birthdays for me is this:  I feel so blessed and so humbled.  When I look at how many people went out of their way to do something (big or small) to help me feel special, I am overwhelmed. People reach out to me because in some way, some how, I have influenced their lives.  It is always a great reminder to me how are lives are woven together, each one affecting another.  We may not know the impact or influence we have on someone else, but our actions matter.  

God uses my birthday each year to remind me that I am loved-not just by my family, but by people all around me.  I am blessed.  I am humbled at the impact my life has on others.  I am grateful.  I am honored. Thank you.

Surely you have granted him unending blessings

 and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 21:6