Feeling so fortunate

Life is wonderful, and it's a gift. As my husband and I were driving through town the other night, how fortunate I felt. I was sitting in the car right next to a man I've been married to most of my life. I often think how drab and scary life might be if he were not around -- a true companion. Wow!

We just spotted three deer in the neighbor's yard. That's a frequent occurrence now. Deer are grazing all over, and it's awesome.

Fall is entering through the doors of weather, landscape and upcoming holidays. Candied apples and cinnamon scents soon will fill the house.

It's time for our family tradition of visiting a local orchard, turned general store and florist. Gorgeous red and green apples, squash, nuts and persimmons line the shelves, and orange pumpkins and multicolored mums proudly sit on top of bales of hay. What a sight to see! I feel so fortunate!

I enjoy the privilege of having two delightful children live with me. They add spice and color, for sure. As I shopped at one of our town variety stores today, I ran into a gentleman and his wife I had known for a long while, but with whom I had neglected to stay in touch. We greeted with hugs, and I felt warm inside. It seemed I had been seeing many people with whom I recently had lost contact.

I have a relative who recently fell while she was walking and had to be taken to an area hospital. Because of the fall and consequent X-rays, she found she may have other health problems. This was a fortunate happening because she would probably never had known had it not been for the accident-related medical tests. One would hope what the doctors found matters little and she will be back on her feet and good as new. Again, I felt so fortunate. Everything happens for a reason. All are interconnected, and life is a continuous chain of one link leading to another, even when the happening seems to be a catastrophe.

If you stop trying to push, shove, force and be the cause of all that happens, you will see how each occurrence links into another. Never feel that even hardships that occur in your life are mistakes. God knows what's going on, has a plan and knows how to make everything come out for the good. "All things work together for good for those who love God and have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

Don't take what happens for granted. It is there for a reason. If you look around you at all the blessings you have and notice they are blessings, you will be overcome with gratitude. One of the children at my house seems much happier than he was in prior times. I frequently heard him say, "I hate my life." Those words tugged at my heart and concerned me. I have tried to help him create a happier life, and now it seems that little by little, he is finally overcoming his dissatisfaction. Whew! I feel so fortunate.

Now, I visualize the crisp, cool, air of fall and winter; beautifully shaded leaves floating through the chilled air. The sheets on my bed invite me into slumber. Coziness envelops my frame of mind as I savor and taste the goodies of autumn in my mind. The fireplace in the living room is ready to welcome the cold and send its red and orange flames upward, each smiling naughtily as they dance and crackle inside. They coquettishly tease, "Catch me if you can." I grasp at their warmth. How fortunate I feel!

Remember your happiness lies within you, and it's based on your attitude about everything. You can make your life a living heaven or a dreaded hell. You can determine if you will be joyful or sad. Remember often, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Philippians 4:13) -- and do it.