But For All That I Am, I Am Blessed
By Deborah Anderson
Many of us have suffered numerous tragedies in our lives. Some of us are walking through the fire right now.
But I came to tell you something. God has not abandoned us. He isn’t punishing us. We are blessed.
Perhaps you are thinking, what…this woman is crazy! I know what her problem is. Her elevator doesn’t go to the top floor. All her marbles have fallen out of the bag. When they were passing out brains, she thought they said ‘trains’ and she missed hers.
I wouldn’t blame you for saying all of the above comments. I didn’t know myself until recently how blessed I’ve been. That’s why I wanted to share this with you. Turn and look behind you to see what has been in front of you. I know people say we should never look back, but read on, and you’ll see what I mean.
I watched my father die a slow, tortuous death from liver disease when I was young, but I had a father. He loved me. He laughed with me. He cried with me. I learned what real strength was because of him. Shedding tears is not a sign of weakness from any man. It takes a courageous man to be able to cry and share his true feelings. My dad was this type of man. Some will never know their fathers at all. I was fortunate to have known mine. For this, I am blessed.
I suffered years of abuse from a man in my past, but I survived. God saw me as someone valuable, and He redeemed me. He decided He would make me a vessel fit for His use. Because of Him, and only Him, I am here. Because I lived to tell you this, I am blessed.
I married a godly man and later gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She died when she was only two days old, but I had a child. I remember her tiny life moving inside of me. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever known. There are no words to describe the feelings when your child first moves in your womb. Many women never get to carry a child at all. Therefore, I am blessed.
I lost other children, too. I never carried them full-term, but because of eternal life in Jesus, I have a family. I often imagine what my children might look like. I read stories people write about their children and hear others talk of their own. I picture mine playing together, in beautiful fields of flowers as far as the eye can see. I envision them as they walk the streets of gold beside the Lord, while the glory of His radiance dances off their faces. What an honor it is to have my children raised by the Lord. I never have to worry for their safety. I never have to dry their eyes of tears. Again, I am blessed.
My brother died in my arms a few years ago, but I’m thankful I had a brother. He was one of my dearest friends. He had an amazing spirit of laughter. He gave his life to the Lord before he passed. You could feel the presence of God fill the room before the angels carried him home. It was as though a white glory cloud overshadowed him as he took his last breath. God didn’t have to make a grand entrance, but He did. It was His way of letting me know that He came for my brother as one of His own. My brother, father, and children await me in Heaven. Because of this, I am blessed.
These are only a few of the things I have been through in my life. I know many of you have been through tremendous heartache, too. Be encouraged. I didn’t see my blessings for a long time. I had to reflect through tears to catch a glimpse of them. Look back at where you’ve been and search for your nugget of gold. When you find it, hold fast to it with all your might, just as God has held you in all things. Glean the good from the bad. In doing so, maybe you, too, can say, “I am blessed.”
Thank you Deborah for showing us how blessed we are even when we think we are facing life's tribulations. You are so full of courage and love in the Lord that He is using you to bless others and renew the faith.
Deb, I enjoyed reading your wonderful testimony again. Once more it really moved me and caused me to thank God for my own blessings. Thank you! Love, Deborah
This article is just what I needed this morning. I ask God to help me to have a new perspective and He used your article to shake the cobwebs from my heart. Thank You!!
Deborah,
Truly you have been tested and refined in the fire. You have come through a beautiful vessel that shines forth for the Father. What a beautiful testimony and a wonderful encouragement.
Beautiful! I,too,can see your children running and playing on streets of gold and being raised by the king! Huge blessing! Thanks for sharing this! What a perspective!
Deb, thank you for sharing that there is hope in the midst of devastation. It's quite evident that God has entrusted you to share in His sufferings over the devastation that the curse of sin has wrought in our world, and to give you such wonderful assurance that though death has taken so much from you, it has not had the last word. You shall indeed see those loved ones again and forever enjoy them with Jesus in eternity future.
Deb, what an inspiration you are. Thank you for sharing this testimony. Others are being blessed because you are blessed. I believe that was God's plan all along.
Linda Ellis
Deborah, I too have gone through much heartache and through the tears have counted my blessings. As I read your article and saw how much more you suffered yet rejoiced, I was blessed.
Now that's grace! And how kind of you to encourage us... oh, but how very much like the character of God to use what would appear to "bad" for our "good."
