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Listen while you read: "Count Your Blessings"1 (Lyrics) |
Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (NIV)
Looking out the window first thing this morning, I see that it is snowing again. I can almost hear the moans and groans of the commuters.
Normally, I would be moaning and groaning right along with them at the thought of more shovelling. But this time, my mind went in a surprisingly different direction.
The gently falling flakes brought to mind the innumerable blessings that God pours out on us every day. Sometimes, they come like a quiet whisper, and we fail to notice them until after the fact.
For example, in February, many of us were blessed with lovely valentine cards sent to us by those who care about us. I wonder how many of us thought about the fact that God sends us valentines in the form of innumerable blessings, not just on one specific day of the year, but every day, reminding us again and again how much He loves us.
Unfortunately, we all too often take this love for granted and come to accept it as a sort of entitlement, never thinking to say, "Thank You!"
May I suggest that the next time you wake up and see softly falling snow, take the opportunity to thank Him for His countless blessings, instead of moaning and groaning? I guarantee you that you will be blessed and will start the day in a much better frame of mind. I know that I did.
If we began to write down our blessings the moment we woke up, I wonder when we would finish writing. I leave you with a challenge. When you have a few spare hours, see how many pages of blessings you can accumulate. You will be astonished at what the Lord has done.
Prayer: Forgive us, Lord, for our lack of awareness, for taking so many of Your blessings for granted, and for wasting our energy complaining instead of thanking You. Help us to count our blessings, to name them one by one, and to give You praise for what You have done, what You are doing, and what we know You will yet do in our lives. This we pray in Jesus' matchless and powerful name. Amen.
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Thanks for the reminder Sharon!
Thanks Sharon for a good reminder.
Good devotional Sharon. Thank you.
Job 38:22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?
Thank you Sharon as I read this and watch again the gently falling snow from my front window!
Sharon – Great devotional! Very uplifting and true. Thanks for writing.
God bless.
Thank you Sharon.
Found your devotional right on the mark and I Try to stay positive in good times and bad, by thanking the Lord for all my Blessings.
Thanks Sharon – my sentiments exactly!! Our town, is about a meter deep in snow, but it is really beautiful this morning with our two swans and several winter-stayed duck in the open part of the river…our front yard! (O yes, there is also one winter-stayed Canada goose.)
God bless – thanks so much.
It’s even a blessing to be reminded to think as God’s Word tells us to … to give thanks in all things, and to remember, and even expect, count on Him to “work all things for good (even the extra snow and cold) somehow, for those who love Him”. Thanks for the reminder Sharon.
It’s a good song too, to count your many blessings, naming them one by one! God bless.
Thank you, Sharon, well done. In Central Texas we have had an inordinate (for us) amount of cold weather. I have decided that we are “sun” people who don’t know what to do with ourselves when we don’t have our sun quota! Of course, we have had nothing in weather like parts of our continent. Your devotional was a good reminder no matter what the weather!
(Texas)
Good message, Sharon. Have to admit to moaning and groaning myself, when I looked out the window this morning.
Guess I needed to be reminded of His daily blessings and this certainly got my attention.
We’re heading down to the city today so we look for safe travel – there and back.
“Thank You” Sharon for this great and needful reminder. One of my very favorite Hymns is: “Count Your Blessings” and I often ask for it at our Sunday Night Hymn Sings. I am overwhelmed every day by the Love God shows to me in every area of my life. Praise His Name. Please keep writing your great Devotionals and may our great God continue to Bless you and yours.
(N.B.)
Thank you for your message about considering snow flakes as a symbol of our blessings from God.
At least when the temp. is -30 (today) the sun makes us feel brighter. On warmer days the clouds make us feel dull, and then the snow starts. Next time this happens I will remember your idea of blessings.
Thank you for helping us count our blessings. That song is now going around in my head!!
(SK.)
Hi Sharon,
Right now I’m sitting here looking out my window at the wonder of the falling snow. I love watching it fall in front of the street light at night. Some flakes are much larger than others. Just like God’s blessings. Some are so small we miss them but they add up and we wonder where they came from. Others we recognize immediately. We also often see something, not as a blessing, but a punishment and only realize afterwards that it was truly a blessing.
Dear Madam,
Great write up and I like the challenge. I found myself singing “Count your blessings name them one by one, then you will see what God has done”.
Thanks.
Your devotional struck a chord, Sharron.
Some years ago, our Lord selected me to fellowship daily at the hospital bed of a young woman who was terminally ill with cancer.
While I was praying for a miraculous healing, Father had other plans as she passed away.
During this holy vigil we sometimes played what we called “the Blessing Game “.
This consisted of taking turns recalling Blessings we each had received during different times in our lives. eg. up to age 12, up to age 20 etc.
It was a glorious time, during which I received new blessings every day. My friend recorded on her computer device some of our games.
This turned out to have extra special significance and her most special blessing was her husband and son. Her husband told us that he had the computer recording among her possessions.
To this day Part of any ministry I am involved in includes “Counting Blessings.”