Count Your Blessings

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I Thessalonians 5:18

            The announcements had been made, the offering taken, and now it was time for special music.  There was a stirring from the back of the church, and heads turned to see what was taking so long.  An old man, legs twisted and gnarled beneath him, labored on crutches up the aisle.  His face was as twisted as his legs as he focused his complete attention on not falling up the two steps to the stage.  The expressions on the faces of the congregation were varied.  Some wore knowing smiles, others bore looks of incredulity.  Some just sighed.

The man settled in behind the podium and without accompaniment began to sing.  His face was transformed into a look that bespoke intimacy with God.  His voice, sweet and plain, lifted each one listening from distraction to the throne of God.

  “Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

 Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? 

Count your blessings, name them one by one. 

Count your blessings, see what God has done.” 

This man had learned the secret of gratitude.  By looking beyond our circumstances and into the heart of the Giver, we are transformed.

            Often when times are hard we are reminded to count our blessings.  “Got not shoes?  Be thankful you can walk!”  Like Pollyanna, we play the glad game.  We are told to always give thanks, and certainly when times are hard it can be encouraging to remember all that God has done for us. 

But what about when times are good?

            So many of us go through life blindly, ignoring the hand of God all around us.  We grumble about our boss, forgetting to be grateful for the job that was at one time an answer to prayer.  Our kids are messy and inconsiderate, yet we forget how blessed we are to have them as a part of our lives.  It’s raining, again, but how grateful I am for the water that causes my food to grow.

            Complaining becomes a habit.  Break it!  Put on an attitude of gratitude like your favorite jeans; often and whenever possible.  No matter your circumstances you have much to be grateful for.  God has provided life, abundant, free and eternal.  Like the old man who sang at church, draw near to God and say thank you.  You will be changed, and God will smile.   

Attitude of Gratitude

     I confess. I’m a lurker. I love social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, but I rarely post. I like to stay in the shadows, lurking around, watching everything you do and say. I leave the occasional pithy comments (I seriously need a sarcasm font, so you all will know when to take me seriously). I make myself post from time to time so that my family doesn’t get worried. I love to post silly jokes (cow jokes are my favorite). I try to keep my posts positive and uplifting. Rarely do I share the stuff that weighs on my heart.

     I admire those people who ask deep philosophical questions, probing their friends for the answers to the questions of the universe, those answers beyond 42. They encourage us to think and are willing to engage us and prod us to go beyond our comfort zones. They aren’t worried about making us angry. I think they want us to think deeply, but maybe what they really want is for us to agree with them.

     My favorite time of year on Facebook is the month of November. Over the past few years someone there has issued a gratitude challenge. The challenge is to post something that you are grateful for every single day.

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136

     It’s harder than it sounds. There are thirty days in the month. Once you get past your family and friends (how many kids do you have, anyway?!), past the gifts of nature, you have to begin to really look. I find myself keeping my eyes open for things I can post that I am thankful for. Every day becomes a scavenger hunt of sorts. What will I discover today? What might I have missed if I weren’t looking?

     I reconnect with the amazing way God is working in my life. I see my days in a new light. I have a new awareness of how blessed I am. My mood is lighter, and I find myself whistling more. (Yes, I whistle. I like to whistle.) I actually feel better.

 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.” Prov. 15:30

     Some of the best parts of this month of gratitude are the responses of other people. When we share the goodness of the Lord, we are sharing the gospel, the good news of what it means to be in relationship with God. God is good to us. Sometimes we forget. We get bogged down with the details of life, and we forget the bigger picture that shows how blessed we are.

     We are intended to live life with an attitude of gratitude. We should be a people who are hugely aware of how good God is, of how wide is his mercy and how full is his grace. We can encourage one another just by keeping our eyes and hearts open.

     So, how about it? Will you take up the November challenge? Either on Facebook or Twitter or in your personal journal or your blog will you look for and post every day something you are grateful for? I’ll be watching, and I hope you’ll share with me as I open my eyes as well.