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Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote a song in 1897 that is still sung today, it is entitled "Count your blessings" he challenges us to name them one by one. The song might be old but the message really hit home to me when I was able to visit my parents.

I experienced a shock when I realized that it had been two years since my last visit home. So much time had swept by and I really hadn't stood still for long enough to realize it. As I visited with my parents I realized the importance of precious times like these, times of refreshing. A big blessing to count!

Roy wasn't able to accompany me on the trip but it did help our relationship. It helped us take stock of how much we mean to each other, of how we flow so much as a team that it seems strange to be apart. It helped us both to place more value on what each of us brings to this marriage. We don't have to be exactly alike to make a marriage work; in fact our strength as a couple often comes from blending our differences together.

On this trip I was speaking in my Father and Mother's church. Roy and I had worked together to prepare a power point presentation, Roy being strong on the technical side of things saved it in three different formats so that it would work on any machine. It didn't. I thought I would just give him a call and my cell phone didn't work. We usually speak together, I was on my own. Through the experience God taught me to really appreciate Roy's strengths. He also reminded me though that it was important to lean on Him not only on Roy.

Roy meanwhile was trying to juggle work, looking after 3 kids, helping with homework, cooking and cleaning. Let's just say the appreciation was mutual!

If you haven't taken time lately to celebrate your differences, appreciate each other and count your blessings why not take some time out to do that today.

Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman Jr

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Refrain