My name is Heather Britain. I love horses, good coffee, godly-girlfriends, soul inspiring books, and most of all, I love God. This blog is about my ups and downs, lessons learned, and my awakening to know God personally. One thing I know for sure is….no matter what is going on in my life; more things are going right than wrong at any given time so I am blessed at all times. My hope is you enjoy reading my blogs, relate to a certain extent, and walk away feeling inspired!
A Happy New Year
Oh, how good it is to be writing…the healing balm that it is! I haven’t done healing writing since going back to school to work on my bachelor’s degree. I’m just too exhausted. No complaints though, I know it is God’s will for me right now and, it’s what I want to be doing as well.
I am looking forward to a good new year this 2017. 2016 was a year full of challenges and changes for me. Two of which were huge, and taking me in brand new directions in life. While any variance change requires faith, these two biggies stole the show! I’m glad to report that unlike times in my past, this time I took the step of faith in both cases, and I am genuinely glad I did. God is good!
I haven’t shared about these changes with many people. I was and still am determined to stay positive, hopeful, and optimistic about my future. The Lord graciously laid out a smooth transition for me, and I knew I needed to be very careful not to invite off the mark opinions or projections from other people’s egotism, anxiety, or jealousy into my hopeful new adventure. Since I’m viewing these changes from the prospective of a new adventure full of possibilities, I need to protect this transition which involves doing my best to avoid certain situations and conversations. I don’t want anyone intentionally or unintentionally planting seeds of doubt in my mind. I keep reciting my paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11 saying, God has awesome plans for my life! I shared only with a few people I trusted who would keep it in the sacred space between us and cover it in prayer.
For the time being, I’m on Christmas break, and my classes will be starting up again soon. 
I have taken this time to read an awesome book that has inspired and re-kindled the warm glow of the holy spirit within me. It is An Untroubled Heart, by Micca Campbell. I decided to include mentioning her book in this post because there is a story in the book about an athlete who had a life changing injury, who similar to me, saw his future as a new adventure. As I read, I resonated with his attitude. The cover on this book is just heartwarming to look at, especially since the area where I live was a whopping -24 below zero this morning…brrrrr! I have so enjoyed reading this book during this Christmas break in my new home. It has been peaceful and restorative. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams…Psalm 23:2 NLT
On another note, I would like to be a voice for those of us who are quiet and reserved persons. I think being quiet and reserved is misinterpreted by many. Although I’m so much better than I used to be, I have always been a quiet and reserved person. The degree of my quietness depends on the environment I’m in and the people I’m around. Last fall, I was attacked by someone I mistakenly confided in about my classes. It was in a group setting while doing a group activity. I was trying to be inclusive of everyone in the group by asking how they thought a certain passage would best be summarized. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the concept, I was just trying to extend a common courtesy by including everyone’s thoughts, and I will emphasize that I was out of my comfort zone by stepping into my voice to initiate the discussion. At the time, I couldn’t think of a better way to get over my fear of public speaking than to start in a small group setting.
This person’s response cut like a knife when she used information about my classes I shared with her as ammunition against me in front of the whole group saying more than once, “You’ve written all these analytical papers and you can’t think of a simple sentence.” Ouch!!! Not only was my intention of initiating group participation misinterpreted, but she also revealed how she truly saw me. Cold water was definitely thrown on my personal growth goal to get over public speaking that day! I know this is due to my quiet shy nature in previous experiences…I haven’t always made my voice known even when I have an accurate answer or something good to share.
On behalf of all the quiet, shy, and reserved persons out there, I would like to say that just because we are not out grandstanding our knowledge or spouting it off like a used car salesman, doesn’t mean we don’t comprehend and treasure God’s word in our hearts and share it in unique ways with others. Romans 12:6-8 NIV says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. I’m not losing sleep over this experience, I have since let God heal me up with his love. I’m bringing it up to serve as a reminder to all on behalf of those out there who are misunderstood.
We’ll here is to an exciting New Year. May we saturate our changes and struggles with faith and trust in God, and embrace His will and all the new in store. May His grace and peace be multiplied to you!
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Beautiful Fall
Well it’s that beautiful time of year again! Fall, autumn, cornucopia of beauty, robustness of season, splendor of God’s canvass, essence of beauty itself, glory of the Lord, all of nature declares God’s glory, hmmm…I can’t think of any more creative ways to describe fall at the moment.
Early-fall started out to be challenging for me. A lot of mud and muck flung at me from a few directions; however, it all seems to be working itself out and the truth seems to be shining its way through more and more thank the Lord! He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:6 NLT
Mid-fall has just been beautiful. I got re-baptized on the 4th of October! I have no words to describe how amazing and different I felt when I came up out of the water, just that it felt sacred and beautiful on a visceral level. I’m so glad I followed through on God’s call to do this.
I’m reading a new book that is nourishing me in all the right ways at this time. Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You through Life’s Transitions. The words in this book are marinated in God’s word, and they are simmering in my soul. During my lunch breaks I’ve been walking through Lander City Park praying, speaking scriptures, and saying affirmations over my current circumstances/mountains. I walk along doing this while admiring God’s autumn essences called Mother Nature. It’s the perfect temperature full of colors and natural beauty. You can’t beat that for a prayer sanctuary. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy! Psalm 96:12 NIV
The God based affirmations I wrote for my current circumstances were inspired from reading this book and are helpful in grounding my situation in peace by driving home biblical truths and trusting God has an amazing plan for my life. I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other and encouraging my heart to keep believing God is working something amazing out for me even though I feel like I’m stuck in neutral spinning my wheels in one place with this situation.
These fall walks in the park have been reminding me of my mom too. She passed away a few years ago. This was both of our favorite time of year. I remember going home on the weekends and just her presence was a healing balm. Whether I had a good day or a bad day, she was always my number one fan and always in my corner when life started pushing me around. Mom was very creative, crafty, and had a very festive heart. The house was always decorated from fall to Thanksgiving through New Year’s and had a warm loving ambiance. What I would do for one more conversation with her over a cup of apple cider or cocoa. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14 NLT
God willing, my dad is flying me down where he lives on the coast of Texas near Port Aransas to spend Thanksgiving this year. This will be a real treat since it should be warm no coat weather there and it will still feel like fall instead of winter to me. It will be good to spend time with my dad.
I will end on this note: A few falls ago, I became somewhat fixated with the word gratitude. It strongly rose up on the inside of me and I read everything I could on the subject. I started carrying a pocket sized leaf cut out of some type of metal with gratitude engraved on it. I guess the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me something. Too bad I wasn’t blogging back then. The word gratitude makes my insides feel like a kid a Christmastime! I do practice thankfulness year round; however, this time of year it just seems to come alive and take on a life of its own. How could it not with all this autumn beauty declaring God’s glory! No wonder fall has always been a favorite time of year! I just had to throw this tidbit of info in for good measure. Seeds of joy burst forth for the lovers of God! So be glad and continue to give Him thanks, for His holiness is seen in everything He does. Psalm 97:11,12 TPT
There are still several weeks of fall left. If anything super amazingly cool happens I will write an update!
The Lord be with you all!
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Summertime’s Lessons
Summer sure flew by…I spent a lot of time with family, friends, cooking some of my favorite dishes, reading some awesome books, and joining a new shooting club with gals who like Glocks and to shoot them!
However, one thing that really rose to the surface of my consciousness is that life is all about connecting, relationships, and people. I’ve read several books pointing out this truth and always knew it to be true in my heart; however, this summer I got a good dose of real time experience with it.
Spending time with family and friends is always a desire of mine; however, I also planned on having a good time this summer riding my mare. I was getting a good start in late spring in that direction, then all of a sudden she got injured towards the end of June. This meant no riding, barrel racing, or pole bending, which is the bulk of my summer activity. Riding her at the end of a long day really lifts my spirits, gets me mentally and physically exercised, and gets me centered in the present moment. Due to where one of her injuries was located, it took two months to heal. There was a time in my past this would have really threw me off and upset me to the point I felt I was “missing out on life”.
However, God had other things for me to focus on this summer. After some praying to Him and “shaking off” the initial frustration of the situation, I was able to appreciate what God had in store for me next. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) God opened up time and opportunity for me to enjoy the company of my family more than ever this summer. I got to know and fellowship with church friends and do other things I wouldn’t normally have been doing because I dedicate so much time to riding and horse activities. God had me making real connections. Connections that mean something. Connections that have purpose with people who are more real and genuine than the ones in the world I’m usually exposed to.
Below are just a few of my summer fun memories!
Although I don’t like to see my horse hurt, I can truly be grateful for the goodness God worked out of it. During the time it took for her to heal up, I spent cultivating relationships. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
These relationships will outlast any prize that can be won by competing on my horse. They will outlast the “I have to cram in as many horse related activities as possible” attitude. If this attitude gets out of balance, it can distract me from whom and what is really important. And they will certainly outlast the many shallow acquaintances that come with the territory of any activity or sport that involves money and competition. It feels good to invest my time and energy into the people and activities that really matter in life!
There were also the other usual type of ongoing lessons this summer such as establishing boundaries with people who disrespect me, clarifying misunderstandings, and discovering with a sad heart that I didn’t have as good of a connection with a specific someone as I thought I did.
I also had to say goodbye to my dog Eddie at the end of this summer. For us single people who go home to an empty house, our animals are a source of comfort. They are a source of comfort to many people whether single or married. Losing her was unexpected and saddening. But I take comfort in the scripture saying, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…Ecclesiastes 3:1-2(NIV)
And yet with all these lessons, this was one of the best summers I’ve had in a few years. I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 (NLT)
It’s knowing God and having nourishing and lasting relationships with the people who truly matter that make life beautiful in the midst of life’s lessons!
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Springtime Blessings
What can beat a mixture of family and nature for springtime blessings? Not much in my opinion. Here is a throw back photo of my daughter at springtime in the past.
And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Genesis 33:10 NLT I thought the picture to the left was perfect to go along with this scripture. I love this scripture because it’s how I feel every time I get to see my daughter’s beautiful face or even talk to her on the phone, although when I get to see her it’s under much better circumstances than when Jacob said these words to his brother Esau.
I spent this past Memorial Weekend 2015 with my daughter. I can hardly put into words how rejuvenating the time was…beautiful weather, springtime flowers, humming birds, good coffee, bible reading, and quality time with my daughter. Oh, how I’d love more times like this with my baby girl. Nothing compares to the loyalty and genuineness of family. Just being present in an environment like this makes a person thrive spiritually. No matter what we’ve both grown through together, we both want what’s best for each other and want each other to succeed in life. Her presence in my life is such a blessing. I get so filled with Holy Spirit Joy with our visits. Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Psalms 127:3 NLT
I know at some point in the next few weeks I’m going start missing the friendly family environment that so fills me up with joy. Feelings of lonesomeness will hit and I’ll have to be double diligent at encouraging myself with God’s word, my blessing journal, riding my horse, and fellowshipping with a few gal pals. I’m so looking forward to my next visit with her!!!
Below are some pictures I took of Springtime 2015.
I will bless and praise the Lord with my whole heart! Let all His works throughout the earth, wherever His dominion stretches, let everything bless the Lord! Psalm 103:22 TPT
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
A Girl & Her Horse
I was searching through my storage stuff for a certain picture and unexpectedly came across some old journals I forgotten about. As I opened the pages and started reading, I found a journal entry about my horse Dusty Painted Duke and one of our rides together. I was so excited to reminisce about what was going on during that time in my life.
Duke has been a Godsend. “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another”. John1:16 (NLT) We have been through a lot together and have a bond that I don’t know I will ever find with another horse. He was my happy pill while I was in a tough un-healthy marriage. By the way, he wasn’t treated well during this time either. When times were tough and I had a heavy heart, going to ride Duke was a glimmer of light shining in the dark depressed places I was in. We acquired such a bond that while riding in familiar territory, I could literally drop his reins, close my eyes, and pray…and no, I’m not making this up!
Duke has been a joy to pleasure ride and barrel race on. He’s made my heart smile countless times. And no, I did NOT do the eyes closed thing while barrel racing in case any smarty pants people are reading this. The only time I did this was while riding in a very familiar place I had at the time down an irrigation ditch road, and the road was out of the public eye…it was just me, Duke, and God our Creator. I have just recently been moved by the Holy Spirit to share this experience.
The following journal entry was written in July 2006:
I was getting close to the end of my ride loping down the last stretch of ditch road. I decided to explore the rest of the time with my senses. I closed my eyes letting Duke take the lead and keep on loping down the road…he knows the way. With my eyes closed, I let the sound of his hooves take me to another place. Each hoof beat was loud and I could feel them in my heart. I could hear the water flowing down its path in the irrigation ditch, and I could hear the hum of the environment around me. With eyes still closed, I could smell the sweet alfalfa hayfields…their life smells so sweet. Then the rain started to lightly sprinkle. I felt the rain hit my body. It was the most awesome feeling. The air was warm and the rain sprinkles seemed to kiss me when they touched. I could also feel my saddle under me and Duke’s movement all in sync with what I was taking in. When I got on the other part of the road, I opened my eyes and took in the deep green color of the alfalfa hayfields, it was a deep nourished color of green and the fields looked happy. A breeze started blowing and a symphony of grasses and weeds touching and blowing amongst each other sang to me, the crickets serenaded me. The air was warm and smelled sweet with alfalfa.
I wish I would have taken the time to journal about our rides more. If you’re wondering about Dusty Painted Duke, he is enjoying retired life now. He gets to be fed and petted every day! I have a newer horse that is just awesome too. No, I do NOT have the closing of the eyes type bond with her, and it doesn’t really matter because we are enjoying each other in different ways.
I have to say for me personally, during my pleasure rides with Duke I felt close to God most of the time. It filled me up with the joy of the Lord. Riding him was a respite from a rough and tough marriage with someone I was so unequally yoked with in more ways than one that I should not have chosen that path in the first place… lesson learned from the school of hard knocks!
I credit God for my family and Dusty Painted Duke getting me through those times. Time spent in the saddle renewed my thinking and refreshed my spirit and I believe it contributed greatly to me not giving up on life. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day”. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Filled With Holy Spirit Joy
What an amazing weekend of fellowship and worshiping God. I had the privilege of attending my 2nd Women of Faith Conference in Billings, MT last weekend. Pictured on the left is my new Bible and coffee cup from the conference. As the saying goes…You can bet my weekend mornings will be filled with a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of God!
I enjoyed connecting on a more personal level with a few church family ladies. It’s nice to fellowship with each other doing fun activities besides just seeing each other at church every Sunday with not much time for anything but a quick hello. It’s a great way to get to know each other beyond the surface. The whole experience was a healing balm my soul needed to recharge me with Holy Spirit Joy! 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT) says, “Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts”. It was indeed a weekend of good companionship and memories I will savor!
The speakers and stadium full of women from all walks of life amplified the joyful atmosphere. Matthew 18:20 (NLT) says, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” And the Holy Spirit was definitely among all of us, educating us and inspiring us!
It was exactly one year ago I jumped into a vehicle with a few ladies I had not met or knew anything about and attended my 1st Women of Faith Conference. Who knew (besides God) that experience would become the introduction to an awesome church family and newfound joy! God is certainly amazing how he connects all the dots and makes everything come together!
My Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that Your joy is my strength, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
More Things Go Right Than Wrong
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Thinking back on the bumpy road of my life up to the present moment, I can definitely say no matter what challenge is going on at the time, more things go right than wrong at any given time.
For example, fairly recently a relationship I had such high hopes for fell apart fast and hard, within the same time my mother found out she had stage 4 colon cancer, and in 2½ months passed away. While all of this was going on, someone I had called friend and agreed to roommate with to help with our cost of living expenses turned out to be not such a good a friend, violating the friendship and damaging it to the point that the dynamics changed and it won’t ever be what it used to be. Talk about feeling kicked in the guts! Three aspects of my life changed in a big way all around the same time.
After an appropriate amount of time grieving the loss of my mother, although I still shed tears now and then for her, the feelings of sadness, loss, betrayal, you name it swirled around inside me for long enough. I was feeling so blah so much of the time. I had to start encouraging myself and remember what was going right in my life.
Keeping a blessing journal has really helped me encourage myself, by keeping track and reviewing my blessings in remembrance of what God has done for me. In which God instructs us to do in Isaiah 46:9 (NLT) says, “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.”
I had heard about keeping a blessing journal several times and always thought it was a good idea, but didn’t put in it to practice until the topic came up again in my women’s bible study group when we read One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. After doing that study I actually put it into practice.
A few things I had written in my blessing journal concurrently going on at the same time during those challenging times were:
- I have a roof over my head.
- A working vehicle to get my daily living done.
- Food in my belly.
- Hot running water.
- A comfy bed to sleep in.
- Admiring beautiful sunrises/sunsets.
- Someone told me the positive qualities she sees in me.
- My daughter’s love and support.
- The presence of my horses is good medicine.
Also listed are a few answered prayers and several fun surprises God blessed me with. I can literally declare, God has done great things for me and I am filled with joy!!!
Amidst any struggle, God sure shows his love with blessings that just seem to blend into the background of our lives and sometimes get overlooked. For most of us, whatever we are struggling with, simultaneously these blessings are still there in the backdrop of our daily lives and are going right. Now whenever a challenge comes up, I allow myself to feel what I need to feel because it’s important to acknowledge our pain, then as soon as I can I start encouraging myself by saying, “Heather, more things are going right than wrong.” By picking up my blessing journal, counting my blessings, and giving thanks to God my inner wellbeing shifts.
Are there a few circumstances in my life I’m not too crazy about and would like them to change, you bet! Do I sometimes slip and get weary by giving my circumstances too much attention, guilty! Do I think life can be unfair at times and feel upset at injustices? Oh yeah!
In times like this, I have to make a conscious choice to pick up my blessing journal, start reviewing it, and honor God by obeying Him and keep in remembrance all he has done for me and is doing for me presently. Sometimes if I need and extra boost of feel good I will call or fellowship with a friend who can offer words of encouragement. Reading my Bible or other scripturally inspiring books helps too.
To some degree we will all experience being hurt or discouraged in life. Remembering more things go right than wrong and counting our blessings will help bring peace to the heart.
My Prayer: Lord, no matter what is going on in my life, may my thoughts return to all you have done for me and fill me with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Learning To Guard My Heart
Welcome to my first blog post. I am both excited and nervous. I am starting out sharing my blog with only a few select people. So in other words, not everyone knows I’m doing this yet and not everyone I’m friends with on social media can see it for the time being.
Here is an intro into what I will be blogging about: I love horses, good coffee, godly-girlfriends, soul inspiring books, and most of all, I love God. My blogs will be about my ups and downs, lessons learned, and my awakening to know God personally. One thing I know for sure is….no matter what is going on in my life; more things are going right than wrong at any given time so I am blessed at all times. My hope is you enjoy reading my blogs, relate to a certain extent, and walk away feeling inspired! My website is: blessedatalltimes.wordpress.com
So here we go….
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
The above scripture seems like the perfect starting point since I am hesitant to share my blog with just anyone right now.
Like many people, before I got serious about my walk with God, I was pretty much attending the school of hard knocks in so many areas of my life. I had good intentions and high hopes for Living the Dream. I wanted a loving family, a nice home, to make good memories, etc.; however, I was not guarding my heart and that determined a negative and bumpy road ahead.
My unguarded heart allowed too many people in my life that weren’t good for me or my daughter, and my lack of spiritual wisdom and discernment at that time blinded me to the best action to take. And I paid a huge price.
I have always loved words, reading, and writing. Composition/Writing was my best and favorite subject in high school. At one point in my past, I wanted to write a children’s book inspired by my daughter and the relationship she had with her horse. Unfortunately, the negative environment I was in snuffed out that passion and I ended up feeling not good enough, empty, and depressed.
I fought to stay positive, but the environments we are in the most rub off on us. I was in an environment with an alcoholic abuser. And although I can clearly look back and see how God was still helping me all along the way, being in that environment still took its toll, spiritually bankrupted me, and disrupted the home.
After a divorce, several years of struggling to find purpose and peace, one more bad relationship, and a few crappy friendships, I had a spiritual awaking. Isaiah 41:9-10 literally is true for me. It says, God has called me back from the ends of the earth, saying, “You are my servant.” For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:9-10 (NLT).
He called me back in a loud but loving way by his Holy Spirit, I instantly knew it was Him, and like a magnet I was drawn to Him. God tried calling me back several times before I even got in the situation; however, that will be another blog post on another day. But it just proves how much God loves us and doesn’t give up on us even though we go through times living life on autopilot and on our own strength.
So I have learned I need to guard my heart and be careful who I am sharing my time, attention, and stuff to on close and intimate levels so the course of my life will go in the direction of God’s anointing. I don’t want to miss out on God calling me to write, or do whatever he’s asking me to do because my strength and clarity have been sucked out of me by being in a negative environment. I’m getting better and better at avoiding people, places, and things that would lead me down that rough bumpy road again, although I’m still working on a certain current situation.
I just want to clarify that I’m talking about the people we choose to allow into our inner-most circle. Since we have to live in this world for now, we will have to tolerate a certain amount of random negativity from people like at the grocery store, traffic, etc.
My Prayer: God help me to interact with and treat all your people well; yet give me spiritual wisdom and discernment to guard my heart when needed.
ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Blessed At All Times 