More than a Dozen.... Please

What a mess.  This “new world” we live in since January 2025 has become a new mess we endure.  Government employees get fired, then re-hired.  Programs get cancelled and some get re-instated.  Tariffs go on, then they go off.  Some foresee a recession.  Prices will go up and that will mean higher costs for many products and a lot of people on limited income will be stressed.  If there is a recession more people will lose jobs.

Protests in city after city.  What are they protesting?  Maybe the more appropriate question is what are they not protesting.  It is a long list.

Uncertainty and insecurity reign.

It reminds me of the Covid days. But Covid was done to us.  We caused this mess.  Well, some of us.

The anxiety and angst, the life disruptions of Covid - moved people to eat and drink.  Alcohol consumption went up, and waistlines went out.  That is how we are tempted to find some kind of relief.  How I love my cookies.  Vanilla cream, fudge cream, sugar, chocolate chip – I am not picky, except that there better be more than a dozen… please.

Instead of a dozen cookies (and that is when I am restrained, I might add) I start my day writing down a dozen things from yesterday for which I am grateful.  I look for God’s blessings.  We live and breathe and have our being in God.  Where was I blessed.  Jesus said – he came that the blind may see.

Today it was the greening of the grass and those first buds on the bushes and trees, the hot coffee, the friendly email, the morning with friends at church, two meaningful conversations after worship, the indoor bike session I thought I was too tired for, the evening short walk, the fresh kale and spinach salad, the warm shower, that drink of sharp cherry juice.  That’s a dozen.  When I get going there are more.

Takes the edge off the angst.  Puts me in a calmer place.  Sad thing is that it takes work to turn our attention to the blessings.  Oh sure, we will speak, “I am blessed.”  But we may not “feel” it.  That is why writing them down makes a difference.

Do the work.  More than a dozen… please.