Counting Every Blessing

Last October, I went with a group of friends to see the Irish Christian band Rend Collective. My favourite song of theirs is “Counting Every Blessing.” In seasons of uncertainty, it's easy to focus on what we lack instead of what we have. I love this song because it reminds me to choose gratitude and total surrender even when I can't see what God is doing.

If you haven't heard it yet, you can listen to it on their album, Good News, available on Amazon (affiliate link).

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Notes of Peony!

During the intermission of the concert, my dear friend Colleen snuck out to buy me a tote bag with that song title on it, and she gifted it to me at Christmas! It was such a thoughtful surprise.

I have been doing a lot of that recently: counting every blessing. It helps so much on weary days, especially after a challenging first half of October. Lately, it feels like life's responsibilities and commitments have really piled up. Between car troubles (I needed new front brakes!), navigating family hardships, dealing with a stomach virus, and health concerns involving a couple of my students at school, everything felt overwhelming.

Do you ever feel this way, when even the everyday, mundane things feel like too much? I want to read more, but between work, Bible study homework, errands, getting sick, Thanksgiving with family, getting my car fixed, and cooking every day—where is the time?

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, it felt like the final straw. During a fire drill at school, I tripped and fell right onto the pavement. I was shaken and ended up with scrapes on my knees and the inside of my right hand. More than anything, though, I felt discouraged and embarrassed. I cried because it all felt like too much.

So, I ask you, what do you do to chase the blues away?

Lately, I have tried every single day to look for glimpses of God's grace. And when I look, I truly see His goodness everywhere.

Here are a few glimpses of God's grace that I noticed during the first half of October:

• I saw the most beautiful sunrise on my way to school one morning.

• I received chicken soup, sourdough bread, fruit, and chamomile tea from Linda, who left them outside my door when I first got sick.

• I received a care basket filled with bananas, noodles, crackers, applesauce, fall leaves, and more, put together by Tara Y. while I was still recovering from that stomach virus.

• I made delicious homemade butternut squash soup for the second time ever, using squash I picked up at a charming roadside farm market.

• I enjoyed my mom's delicious leftover lasagna for two days in a row.

• I enjoyed doing paint-by-numbers and playing with my little nephews over the Thanksgiving weekend.

• I listened to Franni Cash's new album, Here I Am, which has really been speaking to my heart. You can find the album on Amazon (affiliate link).

• I treated myself to a fun, spiral-bound crossword puzzle book during Prime Day: The New York Times Best of the Week Series 2: Tuesday Crosswords. I originally wanted the Monday volume, but it was sold out when I placed my order, so I chose the Tuesday edition instead! If you'd prefer the Monday edition, you can find it on Amazon, too (affiliate link).

• I got my Christmas tree back from a thrift store after it had been donated by mistake because of a misunderstanding.

• I enjoyed listening to my co-worker and friend Darlene play a new worship song while we ate popcorn during our break.

…and so many more!

The message of Rend Collective's “Counting Every Blessing” reminds me to give my troubles to God and focus on all His gifts.

Do you do this in your own life? I highly recommend it because once you start, it's hard to stop. God is constantly reminding us that He loves us; we simply need to slow down, look, and count our blessings.