A Kiss from Rose| March 1st

Look up, down, and all around. What do you see? Blessings! Blessings are everywhere! When I look in front of me, I see countless amounts of blessings ahead that God has for me. When I look behind me, I see all of the blessings He has given me. When I look next to me, I see the people God has blessed me with. I see the blessings in you. Sometimes we have to be reminded of the things that God has done. You shouldn't forget what He has done for you, and you should always be thankful for everything He has done. As we are all waking up today and being grateful for another day (a blessing within itself), let's remind ourselves of the blessings of the past, present, and future. I will start. Please take a look at my list; hopefully, this will give you some motivation with your list.

I was a teen mother who was asked to give up her child. I refused. That son is now a Drill Sergeant in the Army. Another son is an Airman. A special needs son who wasn't supposed to be alive is now 22 years old. Not one child ever in the court system or on drugs. A blessing.

A woman who went to a local Philadelphia shelter to start at the bottom without her family's help. I was determined to do it on her own with a son. I am now a homeowner (15 years) without a co-signer—a blessing.

I was kicked out of school for fighting. I moved out of state. Within the year got a GED and am now months away from a Bachelor of Science in Hunan Services with a concentration in families and children services. A blessing.

I was praying for years for the love and support of genuine friends. I am now surrounded by an incredible group of women who all have a passion for Jesus. A blessing.

After countless failed relationships/marriages. God taught me how to love myself. A blessing.

After having numerous health scares and having my heart stop. God saved my life. A blessing.

After several brushes with victimized, God protected me. A blessing.

Having a negative bank account on many occasions and living on a fixed income, God has provided. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on my table. I lack nothing that I need—a blessing.

Nervous about starting a business. I didn't know if people would be interested in His messages coming from me. Then I remember that His word said that he would be in the midst if two or more agree. God spoke to me. A blessing.

I want to grow and be so much more in life. I want to serve people in my community. I want to focus on children and adults with special needs. I know I will have to stand on His word and His promises when I look at my above list. I know He will never leave me—a blessing.

When you look at me or the pictures of me, know that you can't get the full story. When you read the book, that is only a crumb of what happened. I am a walking testimony, just like countless of you. I am blessed and highly favored by God. He continues to bless me. I am thankful for everything He has blessed me with. I am grateful for being His "blessed" child.

I was not supposed to make it or survive. I was supposed to be a statistic.

But the blessings of the Lord are upon me!

I am anointed to win.

I am empowered to overcome.

I am impossible to curse.

God is for me.

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"When you look at me, can't you see all of the things God has done? Not only has God blessed me with countless of favored things. He has created me to be a blessing to others." - Alston Shropshire

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