Counting My Blessings

Looking back on 2023, although the latter quarter has been extremely tough with the greatest trial my husband and I have ever had to face (our baby's terminal diagnosis), there have been so many beautiful blessings throughout this year, even in the current difficulty we are facing.

There's a really lovely song by the group Rend Collective called, 'Counting Every Blessing,' and that's what Tom and I have really wanted to do: count all of our blessings, and make the most of every moment, despite the hard circumstances. We truly have so much to be thankful for, and there have been so many moments of smiles, laughter and fun throughout this year that we have enjoyed.

There's a Bible verse which says, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Having an 'attitude of gratitude' and a thankful heart that still looks for and sees the beauty and blessings along the way is one that leads to a happier and fuller life, and that honours and pleases God, too.

I would love to share some of my highlights and blessings from 2023 with you:

1. Our greatest blessing, has been expecting our first child. Although at our first scan we were given the devastating diagnosis that our precious baby has Anencephaly, the Lord has still blessed us with so many moments of joy that we are so grateful for. Carrying our precious child is still a huge privilege and blessing, despite the sorrows and struggles of the diagnosis along this journey, and I am so thankful to God that He has given us our darling little baby, even if the Lord doesn't perform a miracle and he goes to be with Jesus after delivery.

2. Tom and I had a really enjoyable romantic getaway to Venice earlier this year. What a beautiful holiday that was! I'm so thankful we got to visit this stunning city as a couple and have truly fantastic memories that we'll always treasure.

3. Back in June, we collected our gorgeous little Mini-Lop rabbit, Blossom, and she became part of our family. We're so glad we adopted her and she has brought us so much joy with all her funny little antics and love that she gives.

4. We shared a fabulous week off in July, where we had a really lovely 'stay-cation', and built lasting memories going out for meals, a trip to a lovely National Trust property, a cinema and bowling trip, plus a superb day out on the North Norfolk Railway.

5. Seeing two great answers to prayer for my sister, Rachel: a) I prayed that her novel would get accepted by a publisher, which it did earlier this year. Her debut novel Nephthys is due to get published by Harvill Secker in February 2025! b) I asked the Lord to bring Rachel's Mr Right into her life, which happened this summer, and my baby sister is getting married in May!

There have been many more blessings and joys throughout this year, but I just wanted to share some of the highlights with you, and encourage you that no matter what difficulties, hardships or heartaches you might face, there are still things in life to be thankful for.

As well as beautiful memories to look back on, I am also grateful for the life lessons and character building God has been teaching me this year. Surrendering to Him is a big one. Learning to trust Him and to be able to say to the Lord, "Nevertheless not my will but Yours be done!" is extremely hard, but oddly enough, the only way to find true inner peace. God has been teaching me the value of taking one day at a time, and to not 'sweat the small stuff' and try to plan every single detail of my life. And learning that I don't always have it 'all together', and to lean on Jesus and find my strength in Him, has also been an eye-opener, as He breaks down my pride and dependence on myself.

So as the curtains close on 2023, and as 2024 is heralded in, although there are still challenges that lie ahead, here's to a New Year, and here's to looking for all the blessings no matter how small they are that come our way, and to trusting God with the future, however it may look!