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Reflections on Psalm 30- Part 2)

 It was Friday December 22, the day I planned to drive back to Ohio to spend Christmas with my family.
  It was a foggy rainy morning.
  Even though I had gone to bed early,
   I didn’t sleep well through the night and I woke up feverish and achy, the ‘bug’ I had been fighting all week seemed to have peaked.
  Under normal circumstances, I would have gladly spent the day in bed, but today, my family was expecting me and I knew I needed to be at the funeral home for my Aunts’ visiting hours at 6:00pm.

 I was able, with Gods help, to get myself going and get the car packed.
  After taking my needed time for prayer, asking for Gods protection and guidance during my drive and covering my friends and my family with prayer, I started on my ten-hour journey, it was 6:35 in the morning.
 

 I had only been in the car a few minutes and the unspoken words became very loud,

“Count Your Blessings.”
 First, I was thankful I had been motivated and had gotten my packing done earlier than usual and was not up late the night before finishing. I felt very blessed to be
able to drive back to be with family.
  Not only was I physically and financially able I was able to take off work and I could leave knowing Fival (my cat) would be taken care of.
  I enjoy driving and am thankful I have the capability and endurance to drive long distances.

 I wasn’t on the road long before I became extremely grateful that I have gotten in the habit of taking my car in for routine maintenance and inspection; oil change, tire rotation and balancing etc., before I take a long trip.
  This time I had just taken my car in the day before.
  While I was there, I was informed my brakes were just about gone and should be replaced.
  The mechanic that was working on my car said I might make it to Ohio but probably would not make it back.
  The longer I drove in all the rain, fog and traffic, the more grateful I became, only God knows what mishaps having new brakes helped me avoid.
  Although it was 11 ½ hours later,
 I arrived safely at my parents’ house at 5:45 in the evening.
   

 
Having an “attitude of gratitude” has propelled me through some of the most difficult times in my life and this was going to be another one.
  I had plenty of time so it was not hard, in spite of what was concluding a very emotionally challenging year, to continue counting my blessings during the drive. Being a child of the Most High God, I have a Father in heaven who loves and cares for me and He has given me so much more than I could have ever dreamed of, more than I will ever be able to recount.
 

 
I am eternally grateful that I have a personal relationship with Jesus, the Savior of the world.
  In Him is my joy, my hope and my strength and through Him, I have the promise of an eternal life free of pain and sadness. It has been His grace, strength and love that has carried me through the year.
  He has blessed me with true, Christ centered, friends who love me, comfort me and strengthen me while walking through this earthly journey with me.
  I have a family that supports and loves me for who I am today. I could go on and on, and so it will. I have started an article


“Counting My Blessings, - Living in Gratitude,”
that I will update daily throughout this year.
  This will be a brief gratitude list of 1-5 new or different blessings that I am grateful for that day.
  Having and ‘attitude of gratitude’ has not only changed my outlook on life, but, it has
changed my life.
  I encourage those of you who want this experience to join me on this “walk in gratitude.”
  May your life be forever changed. 
 

 
‘You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.’
 ^{Ps 30:11-12}