Count Your Blessings

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Posted by: VIP Guest Blogger Tags: Blissdom Blogger Contest, living life to the fullest Posted date: January 11, 2010 | 192 Comments

Sometimes we think that our greatest influence on others will come in the way we live our lives. But for me, the greatest influence I have ever had on my life was in the way that someone died. That someone was my mom.

In August of this past year, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV gastric cancer. It was the most difficult situation I had ever faced in my life. I wanted to be angry with God. How could He do this to my mom and my family?

Mom told me that she didn’t understand why God was allowing this cancer into her life, but she trusted Him. She said that despite our circumstances, we needed to be looking for the blessings God had in store for us.

So that’s what we did. For the seven short weeks that Mom lived after her diagnosis, we counted our blessings every day.

I remember a time when Mom was lying in her bed. Her legs were swollen 3 times their normal size. She was unable to sit up or stand on her own. She had lost over 20 pounds and could barely eat. The cancer was winning the battle. She looked at me and said, “I feel so blessed.” I said, “Mom, you are lying there with cancer throughout your whole body, how can you say that?” Her response? “Well, I could be writhing in pain, and I’m not. Some people with cancer are in a lot more pain. So I am thankful that I’m not.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Mom continually found blessings through the most difficult days of her life.

Mom’s example in dying changed my life.

Now I try to live each day to the fullest by counting the simple blessings that God has given me. When I am standing in a long line at the grocery store, I thank God for the legs on which I have to stand. When I am overwhelmed by loads of laundry, I thank God for a house full of loved ones who wear those clothes. When I am frustrated when I don’t get what I want, I thank God that I have all that I need. And when the overwhelming pain of missing my mother wells up inside of me, I thank God for the promise that I will see her again.

What a blessing!

Written by Traci from Beneath My Heart. Traci is the only girl in a house full of boys! She loves spending time with her husband of 12 years and their four amazing sons. She started her blog, Beneath My Heart, because her mom encouraged her to. It has become a huge blessing in her life! She shares about remodeling projects, furniture makeovers, crafty ideas, some adventures of being the mom of four boys, and the legacy her mother has left behind. You can contact her at beneathmyheart4 (at) gmail.com.

This post is part of Blissdom Conference ticket giveaway.

About the author

VIP Guest Blogger
We are very lucky to have partnered with some amazing guest writers for Skimbaco who contribute on a regular basis or guest post on specific topics. If you would like to become a guest writer - contact us!

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192 Comments for Count Your Blessings

Elaine Fannin

What a beautiful post, Traci. You are a true inspiration.
I really enjoy your blogs and your creative ideas and your makeover projects.

Carrie Hewitt

Traci,
I have been reading your blog for a few months now, since I learned to make my awesome “dropcloth curtains” from one of your posts, and I can say without a doubt that you are an inspiration to many of your readers. Not only with the wonderful decorating ideas you blog about, but also your zest for life and all that it throws at you! Thanks for sharing it with us! Carrie

stacy

and now she blesses all of us through you. thanks for sharing such an important bit of wisdom.

Jane

What a lovely lesson to learn from a mother who really lived the advice!

Shana Welage

Traci – thanks for sharing this. Your blog has helped me so much in dealing with the loss of my mom. We shared alot of the same ideas while she was ill – my sadness and confusion and her overwhelming joy and peace. She thought it was amazing that our lives had taken such parallel paths – again.

Brooke

Thanks for sharing. This definitely helps me keep things in perspective when life is hard.

Lori

Amazinf story of strength and courage…thank you for reminding us to be grateful for all we do have!

Jill

Very beautiful, just like everything you do!

Debbie Johnson

What a great story you tell. Losing my mother was losing my best friend.
I talked to her every day and now she is gone. What a void.
Take comfort in your memories.

Stephanie

Traci, you inspire me to stay focused! Focused on what is truly important…God, my family and my relationship with others… I sure hope you win this trip! You certainly deserve it…sincerely!!!

Heidi

You’re always an inspiration.

Amber M.

Tracy, you always manage to bring a tear to my eye, but it’s always in the best ways! Thank you for sharing such touching an personal stories about your mother.

Sarah M

Mrs.H,
I love reading your blog. You have inspired me since i was 8 years old. You truly are a remarkable woman and so was your mother. I’m going to pray that you win this contest and get the ticket, because in my heart i know there is no one more deserving than you. You spread Gods love and warm hearts with your Wednesday With Wanda posts. I love you and wish you the very best luck with the contest.

<3
Sarah M

Linda Whittaker

Traci, your blog is a blessing to me and our whole family. Thank you for all the caring and sharing you take the time to do each week. It means so much! We love you.

Heidi@TheCraftMonkey

Traci, your faith and love for the Lord continues to amaze me everytime I read a story about your mother. You are truely an inspiration to me, thank you for sharing your story. ~Heidi

I love every word you’ve written, what a beautiful story. I know your mom is very proud that you’ve not let yourself become angry or bitter. She must have been an amazing woman.

SUMMER BARTLETT

Such an amazing post =) Very inspirational! Thank you for sharing. This truely has opened my eyes! When I get depressed because I have to leave my daughter and go to work, I need to be thankful! Thankful that I even have a job and have an AMAZING daughter to miss =)
Thank you so much!

Joy

Beautiful lesson, Traci. Thanks for sharing your mom.

Christy Q

Beautiful and inspiring post!

Rae Shepherd

Great Lesson Traci! Now I just need to put that into practice in my life on a daily basis too. I never met your Mom, but I must say that I love her and am very thankful that God allowed our paths in life to cross. Thank you so much for sharing your heart.