Count your blessings name them one by one...

Today's story is very simple. I am blessed in many ways, but - walking Rebekah out to the car this morning as she headed in to work - I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she is. I said "Stop! I want to take your photograph. You are so lovely this morning I want to capture the moment."

So I pulled out my BlackBerry and clicked.

Now I may well be biased to some extent. But, regardless, I'd be willing to bet that my estimation of Rebekah would stand any level of scrutiny, by any group of observers, in any place of time, impartial or otherwise.

I do a lot of writing for the Tony Dungy website at All Pro Dad. I constantly prepare lists of approaches to life that might benefit men, most especially in terms of the context of "dad" and "husband". We tend to craft these "10-Ways" lists in response to need. Well, if there's one thing men get wrong more than anything else (and, believe me, it's not "one" thing!) it's a general sense of awareness vis-à-vis how fundamentally blessed their lives are. It seems that we have to hit this subject again and again and again.

• Do you have any idea of how good you have it?
• If so, then why don't you show it?
• Would it hurt you to stop and smell the roses now and then?
• How long has it been since you grabbed your wife by the arm, stopped her dead in her tracks, and said, "Oh my goodness you are beautiful! I have to tell you how amazed and overwhelmed I am by the blessing of waking up every morning and realizing, once again, that you chose me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for simply being..."?
• Does your family know how much you love them?
• If you had to count, would terms of endearment come ahead of complaints and criticisms? Or do you more often forget to point out how deeply blessed you are?

We are winding down a year - 2010 - that has been as challenging as any I can remember. However, when I take the time to count my blessings, it's very difficult to think about anything other than the beauty, and the wonder, and the love, and the adventure, and the joy, and the fun, and the peace... - and that's just the being married to Rebekah part!

If you want to experience God's blessing today, then take the time to count the ones you already have. Think about it... count your blessings... name them one-by-one.... it really will surprise you.... Believe me, you're going to be amazed and thankful.

Today is the 5th day of Christmas - DEREK