I mentioned in my previous post that last week was a rough week. I never got into details, but being overwhelmed and exhausted was on a level 10 last week. Guess what was also on level 10? My negative thoughts and my negative talk. Then I realized that yes there are ups and downs in life, but another thing that I don’t want to do is paint a, “woe is me,” picture and not vocalize how blessed I am, and how blessed you are. Yes you!! 🙂 A song came on called, “Counting Every Blessing.” (Click on the link at the bottom to hear it.) This song made me realize that yes things get hard sometimes, however when we focus on how challenging things are then we lose focus on how blessed we truly are.

At one point last week, I was half asleep and half awake, and that’s when I get really vivid dreams that relate to something I’m going through. Well, this time I was just focusing on my legs. I have 2 legs. I started thinking of my late mother-in-law who had to have both of her legs amputated. I started feeling ungrateful and realized wait I have 2 legs! That alone is a blessing! Imagine how much harder the challenges I face would be without legs. Now even the people in this life without two legs they are blessed as well.  My mother in law was so thankful for her son and her grandkids and despite the challenges she faced she loved the Lord and was an encouragement to so many.  I mentioned I would get a little personal, and share a piece of me with you, to hopefully encourage someone somehow. This might sound a little crazy, but that’s just the way my mind works…lol. My whole point is last week wasn’t a great week, but neither were my thoughts and neither were my words. Hearing that song, and remembering that dream reminded me that I need to count my blessings, and not down play God’s powerful role in my life, by focusing on the things that my flesh can’t handle. You see apart from God I genuinely can’t do anything, but with Christ I can do all things.

Last week I also started to wonder do I wear too many hats. I started wondering if all the hats I wear was taking me away from my family. Honestly, I even started questioning if I was a good mom:( I started wondering if I wasn’t using my time wisely, and if all these hats I wear could stop other dreams from happening. I wanted to take a break from at least 3 of the hats I wear, quitting even crossed my mind. Then it hit me I was too focused on me. This all reminded me of an amazing quote that I came across from A.W Towzer that said, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan to do only the things that we can do by ourselves.”

Now I pray for wisdom to balance things better, but when I think of trying to eliminate any of the roles I play I just don’t have peace. So therefore I ask God to strengthen me for the task at hand, and for His will to be done. I also realized that I need to think more positively, speak more positively, and be thankful and count all of my blessings on a daily basis. My goal for this week is to guard my thoughts and my words, and for 7 days just speak life over myself, my marriage, my kids, my loved ones, my different roles, and every other area of my life. 

I don’t know who reads this, but if you are reading this just send me an email at leneenfaith@manyhatsoffaith.com and let me know if you are down for a 7 day challenge. (This literally just popped in my head, I didn’t start this post planning on doing this.) For 7 days write down 7 blessings each day, so at the end of the 7 days you will have 49 blessings written. When those negative thoughts cross your mind this week, and you start doubting yourself and your purpose then just start thanking God for your blessings instead of vocalizing those negative thoughts. As I’m writing I’m thinking for these 7 days also  reach out to 1 person a day and just send some encouragement. A scripture, a quote, a text saying you’re thinking about them, something. So many times we get stuck on ourselves and we don’t make the time to be a blessing to someone else.

Last week alone 2 of my friends were a blessing to me, and I can’t tell you how that made my day. One of my friends from college called and said she was going to treat me to a pedicure for my birthday. Now she lives in another state!! The funny thing is the SAME day she called I was telling James I need to make time for a pedicure. My mom raised us with the mentality that nobody has to do anything for you, so when someone does something for me no matter how big or small I truly appreciate it. If it wasn’t for her thoughtfulness to call me and treat me to a pedicure, I would’ve kept putting it off. Another friend of mine that I go to church with, knows that I fell really hard and hurt my knee. We run together sometimes and yesterday at church she brought muscle relaxing tea and beet powder for me to help me recover. How nice is that? I was so thankful that the Lord put me on 2 people’s heart, and they were kind enough to follow through and be a blessing. So this week don’t only count your blessings. I double dog dear you, I triple dog dear you (LOL…I used to say that with my siblings growing up) to be a blessing to 7 people this week. Normally I write on Thursday, but I slept today from 6pm-9pm. Right now it’s almost 3:30 am and James and the kids are sleeping. I cleaned the kitchen, and writing about counting my blessings was on my heart, so I stopped and wrote in hopes to encourage someone, somehow. Hope you have an awesome week!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82b0Tiy0ykk (Counting Every Blessing by Rend Collective)- This song helped me remember to count my blessings.

https://www.facebook.com/SaltLifeChurchFL/videos/1057569621062553/ (Great message today from Pastor Pedro from Salt Life Church) – I serve in kids church, but watched the video at home tonight and was so blessed from it. Looking forward to hearing part 2!

leneenfaith@manyhatsoffaith.com (I also want to make sure my email works…lol 🙂 So send a little email letting me know if you want to do this 7 day challenge with me.)

Proverbs 27:17- As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another- (This is one of my favorite scriptures, and truly believe we are here to help, encourage, and uplift each other.)

Let’s count our blessings and be a blessing this week despite the many hats we wear!!