Not All That Bad

Two of my blogging friends have had a difficult time lately and both on their blogs this week have focussed not on their tragedies but on thanking God for what they do have and some of the happy times they have shared this year. At this time of year when our thoughts turn to Christmas preparations, I was thinking of what I should include in my usual newsletter that accompanies the cards I send in order to keep family and friends up to date with what is going on in our family. To be honest I am struggling to find enough things to say as this year has been VERY quiet; no travel, no holidays away, no life-changing situations. It seems that this past year I have been very boring and nothing of significance has happened.


But reading my friends' blogs I realised that my attitude was all wrong. Instead of bemoaning my uninteresting life I should think of the good times I have had and the daily blessings that I have enjoyed. Today the weather here in Yeovil has been lovely and warmer than recent days. So I was able to hang the washing outside and by mid afternoon it was all dry. There haven't been many days lately when the weather has been suitable to be able to do this. This morning I went to the hairdresser's to have my hair trimmed. Again I thanked God for the health and strength to be able to walk there and back. This time last year I was struggling to walk so far but God has indeed been good to me restoring my health.

Those who know me or who have followed my blog will know that I love to feed the wild birds in the winter. This week I was able to get a photo of a bluetit on the fat ball container. It is always a pleasure to see these beautiful little birds and that I am able to help in keeping them alive during the cold spell.

I could go on but won't, but I have learnt, or should I say have been reminded yet again, that even when things are not as we would like or seem quieter than we're used to, there is always something good. It's just that we can't see the good things when our minds our totally absorbed with the not so good.  It's just like the old song says, 'Count your many blessings, name them one by one ... ... and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.'