Counting Our Blessings

We’ve been gone from home for about two weeks. Got home yesterday afternoon and this morning I am enjoying the quiet of my own living room.

It’s good to be home and I am thankful for all of the Lord’s blessings. We had a wonderful time taking care of Sam and Kristine (a blessing) for nine days and then we had time with Mom (a blessing) before arriving back home.

Blessings:  1 God’s love    2  Family    3 Friends    4 Home    5 Food    6 Clothing…

And the list goes on. But there are some around us who have lost everything. I’m thinking specifically about those who have lost all their earthly possessions in the California fires. We need to pray for them and then find a good outreach ministry that is there giving aid and financially support them as well.

Jesus said when we have done a kindness for those in need we have done that kindness for Him.

When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:38-40 ERV

We need to be mindful of the many blessings the Lord has given us each and every day. Making a list is just one way of keeping our hearts centered on gratitude.

We’re only a week from Thanksgiving. We should make gratitude a part of our daily routine. While we’re  brushing our teeth or combing our hair, say thank you for three things.  Taking a sip of that first cup of coffee should be time to be thankful for two or three more. Arriving at work unscathed by traffic deserves a big “Praise God”.  Sitting at a desk or standing at a work station we need to be thankful, some people have no job to go too.

Yes, making a list of blessings is a great way to keep our lives filled with thanksgiving.

“Stand and shout praises to your Lord, the eternal God! Praise his wonderful name, though he is greater than words can express. You alone are the Lord, Creator of the heavens and all the stars, Creator of the earth and those who live on it, Creator of the ocean and all its creatures. You are the source of life, praised by the stars that fill the heavens.” Nehemiah 9:5-6 CEV

There’s an old song in the movie White Christmas. The lyrics  say “when I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep then I fall to sleep counting my blessings”. The perfect way to begin and end any day is counting blessings and thanking the Lord for all He has done.

Lord, I love you and I thank you for the many blessings you have given me. Let me see the needs that others have and be used to help.