I Could Still Be . . .

I could still be lost, my eternal destiny grim.

I could still be groping around looking for something or someone to fill the deep emptiness inside of me.

I could still be terrified and unsure with no one to trust .

I could still be aimlessly looking for my purpose in life.

I could still be bitter, having never known true forgiveness.

I could still be struggling to find happiness in this life, while all along it is deep joy I'm lacking.

I could still be without hope.

I could still be without peace.

I could still be without . . . . . . . . . . Jesus!

It is so easy to get caught up in the struggles of life and lose sight of how unbelievably rich I am. The frustrations, the little things that grate upon me daily, can just wear me down. I have a home, a beautiful home. I have nine wonderful healthy children, a heavenly marriage and, relatively speaking, I have good health. Yet it is so easy to "feel" down and begin to complain about the little things until they "feel" like big things.

Last night, in a moment of sanity, I began to recount all these very basic things that the Lord has chosen to gift us with. People all around are losing their homes, their marriages, their children. We are so blessed.

Then it hit me in my list of things He's done for me or given me, at the very top is salvation. Something I guess I must take for granted. I wondered why He would save me? I think of my still lost family and I marvel and am humbled that for some reason He saved ME! As of yet, not my sister or brothers, but me. I was nothing more special, actually I was an utter mess, yet He saved me!

What a foolish woman I can be, complaining about the house, the children, my aching head. I am so rich, so blessed.

You are too, if you know Jesus and have been saved by Him.

Let's lay aside all these day-to-day struggles and praise and worship Jesus, our Savior. The One who chose us to be His own.

BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--

Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! Psalm 103:1-5

I WILL extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever [with grateful, affectionate praise].

Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You [affectionately and gratefully praise You]; yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; and His greatness is [so vast and deep as to be] unsearchable. (Psalm 145:1-3)