Count Your Blessings!

           

            This week we set aside a day that we call “Thanksgiving”.  It originated with the Pilgrims in 1691, when they celebrated their first harvest in the New World.  Later, it was commemorated by the proclamation of several Presidents, including Washington and Lincoln, but it wasn’t until 1942 that Congress established it as a national holiday.

            The day began as a celebration of thanks, recognizing the blessings of God in helping the Pilgrims establish a home in a new land.  Today, the word “thanks” has almost become an afterthought in our celebration.  We have become more concerned with how we will cook the turkey (oven, slow cooker, deep frier, grill, etc.), what sides we will serve (mashed potatoes and dressing are a given), and how many football games we can watch in one day.  The stress levels are often magnified by the efforts to accommodate both sides of the family and trying to maintain civility in conversations (politics and religion are often off limits on Thanksgiving).

            For a few minutes, I would like to take us back to the real meaning of Thanksgiving:  giving thanks to a loving Father for the blessings that He so generously gives us.  That thought took me back to a favorite hymn of my youth.  The first line of the chorus says:

“Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done.”

As I considered the blessings of the past year, here are a few that I “counted”:

1.    I have a Father who “sees” me.  As we studied the life of Hagar this week, I was reminded of how attentive our Father is to our every need.  He sees my failings but allows me to confess them rather than condemn me.  He sees my pain and provides the comfort and encouragement that I need.  When I began the retirement journey back in January, I was miserable.  I had no purpose; even as an introvert, I felt alone.  God saw my misery and came alongside me to give me projects that would bring purpose back to my life.  Now, I’m like a lot of retired people; I don’t know how I ever found time to work. 😊

2.    I have a Father who has given me a family of brothers and sisters.  My immediate family has dwindled over the years.  My Father and Mother passed away over 6 years ago and this year, my only brother passed away.  I have one niece who has two boys that I see very seldom.  I also have one nephew with two boys who are so active in sports that about the only time that I see them is at their ballgames.  However, God has blessed me with several groups of sisters in Christ who are my spiritual family.  They provide encouragement, laughter, fellowship, spiritual growth, and friendship.  They are truly a part of my family.

3.    I have a Father who provides all that I need.  I retired on December 31st of 2021.  Very soon after that was when the economy started to go downhill, prices went up, and what had looked like a good decision on paper, no longer looked quite as good.  While my retirement portfolio may not look as good as it did on December 31st, I still have all that I need.  God has continued to provide.

4.    I have a Father who has guaranteed my eternal destiny.  As our parents pass away it’s normal to think “I am next”.  In our minds, there is a normal progression of death.  When we reach certain ages or retire, thoughts of the end of our days are normal.  Because I am a Christian and I know my eternal destiny, I don’t have to waste a lot of time wondering when the end will come.  It doesn’t matter.  Christ has already sealed the deal.  When the time comes, I’ll just be moving on to the next chapter that God has planned for me.

These are just a few of the blessings that I am giving thanks for today and every day.  I hope you will take a few moments to count your blessings as well.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100: 4, 5 NIV 84).

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