Count Your Blessings…and Put Them in a Jar
I wish I could take full credit for this idea, but alas–it comes to you straight from Pinterest. Whatever would we do without that site?
The original idea was to record blessings on a small slip of paper, put them in the jar and then on New Year’s Eve go back through them.
However, I need shorter accounts–thus the half-pint jar. On the last day of each month I will go back through the blessings recorded, clip them together, tag them as to the month, and THEN put them in a larger jar to once again rehearse on New Year’s Eve.
This sounds easy enough, but all of us have those same-o-same-o days when we really don’t want anyone asking us..’so, what did you do today?”. And it’s on those very kind of days we are most likely to miss the blessing God has for us. The big ones are obvious…even others will know immediately that we’ve been blessed…but it’s in the everyday, commonplace happenings that we need to remind ourselves that He is still there, still blessing.
Do you see a blessing in this picture?
Why would I record this in my Blessing Jar? The little gray kitty is a stray that just showed up one cold night last fall…and I fed!! But she now has a friend and they ‘abide’ together. They share food without hissing at one another. They go their separate ways, on occasion. But when it is cold, and Miss Kitty is in need of warmth–the old yellow friend is there.
This reminded me of my friends (not the old yellow part), but the gals in this crazy ‘pages from stages’ group, plus many others, who–even though we may go our separate ways–are right there to weep with me, rejoice with me, encourage me, warm me. And yes–on occasion we share food–although I WILL hiss if they take my chocolate.
Blessings abound, we need only to practice looking for them. I challenge you to write them down, put them in a jar or a journal, or wherever. This is one time it is perfectly okay to ‘put your hand to the plow and look back’.
And to each of you who follow this blog, and occasionally comment, please know YOUR name is in my Blessing Jar!!
And I will give thanks to Him who blesses exceeding abundantly above all that I could ever, ever ask or think.
I’ve seen this idea and thought to myself that I should do that too….but I haven’t started yet.
But I really must…thanks for prodding us slow pokes along. And you are such a blessing to me!
I found a whole ‘carton’ of Blessing Jar’s at Wal Mart for under $9….12 in all….gonna give one to every member of our family!!! And Jeanie, I’ve said it before, but YOU are a blessing to us. How disappointed we would be if we didn’t see your name on our blog. Now–how’s that for pressure?
Great idea, Julane! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Sometimes I do resemble the old yellow part! You make me chuckle, Julane. I know what you mean about the “same-o-same-o” days. I think your jar is going to be a real blessing.
I was ‘old yeller” till I changed my shampoo….now I’m singing the ‘blues’!!! I knew I’d get there one day!!!
This is a good idea. I like the idea of a smaller jar, and shorter times between the review.
I’ll have one for you when you come, Brenda!!
I like the jar idea
Many years ago when times were very tough and my oldest was really struggling with his health, my husband and I decided that we would name 3 things were grateful for each night before we went to bed. That has helped us develop an “attitude of gratitude.” When you know you are going to write down or recount a blessing at the end of the day, you start looking for blessings during the day. It’s amazing what’s there when you actually start taking note!
Even if the idea came from Pinterest, I’m glad you shared it with us!! That’s one of my blessings today
“It’s amazing that’s there when you actually start taking note!” I agree Cherie. We need only look.
I read and tried the “One Thousand Gifts” idea last year, but it fell to the wayside before February. A Blessings Jar sounds more doable. The shorter review time provides a reward at the end of every month too. As the Young household’s resident pessimist, I desperately need this. Thank you so much, Julane. You and the other ladies here at Pages from Stages are the blessing going in my jar today. (Or maybe I should do one lady each day and spread it out.
)