Notice The Flowers

I hurried into the house one afternoon with my sister-in-law.  We had been running pre-Christmas errands.  My mind was on many things that needed to be done as I hurried around the kitchen putting items away, planning which to-do item on my list to do next, talking, hanging up my coat…and then I saw them.  There in the middle of the kitchen table was a vase of beautiful flowers.  I had been scurrying all over that area but was so occupied in my busy that I didn’t even see the beauty and the love right there in front of me.

I was embarrassed.  My husband had bought those for me for no other reason than to show his love for me and I hadn’t even seen them for quite a long time.  I thanked him profusely and he just laughed.  He knows how I am at Christmas.

We’ve had some sweet ups and some rough downs with Aaron lately.  It’s a struggle for him to share his home and change his routine during Christmas.  He has had times of deep anger and strong words.  Sadly, we have in some moments reacted in the same way to him.  

We are not always the poster children for patience.

Remember the old hymn, Count Your Many Blessings?  I love the last verse.

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.

Sometimes I’m slow to notice God’s blessings when I’m in the middle of stress and worry.  But with Aaron in particular it’s easy to get caught up in wondering when the next shoe will drop or rolling our eyes at his demand for sameness in his life at the expense of what we are doing during a very busy time.  

But really, instead of rolling my eyes so easily I need to stop and see the flowers right there in front of me…to see the progress he made during all the upheaval of Christmas.  

He happily unwrapped candy for our cookies.  See the flowers?

He loved a walk with Ryker.

He and Ryker played games.

I don’t have pictures of other blessings.  How he shared with Ryker and Cora some of his fun toys along with as many snacks as he could.  He gave unexpected hugs and I love you’s before bed several times.  

And he was able to wait for our Christmas celebration to come later when more family could be here.  Well, mostly wait.  He did open two presents on Dec. 25 because Christmas IS ON DECEMBER 25, PEOPLE!!  

But he was all smiles on the day we did celebrate Christmas.  

All this and so much more across the board have reminded me of Psalm 103:2:

         “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

At night when I pray with Aaron, I have started asking him to tell me one thing for which he is thankful.  It’s a good lesson for me as well as for him.

I hope these simple words today will remind you to stop and see the flowers right in front of you.  God’s benefits and blessings are around us even when all we might be seeing and feeling are the burdens.