Counting our blessings even in tough times

Over the past eight months I've grown to appreciate all the I do have. It admittedly has been a rough road for me trying to fill my days with work that I'm not getting paid to do and trying to find that elusive stable job. This period of unemployment has been different in many ways than my other bouts of unemployment. I'm older now, and not as flexible as I once was. People look at me differently too. Yet, I can still be thankful for so many things. I can be thankful for the money I'm receiving from the government to provide the things I need like food and shelter. I can be thankful for family and friends that haven't turned their backs on me yet and are still supporting my ongoing efforts to find stable employment. I have to admit at times I felt like giving up but they haven't let me. I do appreciate them all so much.

I can be thankful that I'm still in relatively good health since I'm like many who struggle to even afford health insurance. I feel sorry for those that do need it now, and are struggling to pay massive bills that are only going to get worse. I can be thankful that there are still a few caring doctors and nurses out there that are willing to break and bend the rules to get a person the best care they can get. I worry that too many are not and are willing to sacrifice those who need care the most so that everyone can get care.

I am thankful that the Lord is in control even now when it seems as if everything is falling apart at the seams. I can be thankful for his great love for you and me, a love that far surpasses my own. I admit that I do struggle to love my fellow man especially when I see the results of the hate they have for my beliefs. I still can't get over the fact that America chose a man who literally turned his back away from God. Yet, I still believe that the Lord will use him like he has used all the other men before him who have done the same thing. We can count our blessings even now as we pray for our world.