My Cup Runneth Over

The 23rd Psalm contains the following statement:

Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We sing the hymn, "The Lord is My Shepherd", which has a slight variation:

In the midst of affliction, my table is spread
With blessings unmeasured; my cup runneth o'er.

I have found that throughout my life, when I have been in the midst of affliction, my table really has been spread with blessings unmeasured. When I choose to look for them, I am always astonished at the more-than-compensatory blessings that have surrounded me during times of deepest trial. As though the Lord is saying that he cannot remove this necessary experience, but he can let me know that I am loved and watched over, nonetheless.

For example, right now my cup runneth over with an outpouring of love and help from family members, church members, and friends. Word of my situation has spread quickly, and I have been overwhelmed (and very grateful) for the many kind words and offers of prayers and other helps throughout this process. One very significant blessing was the realization that my visiting teacher (one of the women in our church assigned to have a stewardship over me) is a 9-year survivor of a brain tumor herself. It helped so much to talk to her today.

I have much to be thankful for. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Ghost to provide a constant comfort to me. I have a loving family. I have friends who generously give more than they receive. I have access to competent professionals who know how to help me. I have a huge list of blessings that I could continue with, but I would not be able to complete it in the time and space that I wish to devote to this post.

The other day I noticed a billboard on the side of the road that said, "Wanna get rich quick? Count your blessings." I can only begin to count my blessings, because they appear to be innumerable. But to be sure, I am a rich woman in this regard. My cup runneth over.