Can you imagine going through life in the dark without the ability to see? You would miss out on the beauty of nature, the ability to see friends and family members, and so many other things. Recently I visited a local company, Industries for the Blind. This company makes products like apparel for the military, clipboards and pens. And the large majority of their workforce is blind or visually impaired. This experience was definitely eye-opening (pardon the pun) and very enlightening. These folks had such a great attitude, despite their challenges, and seemed to really love and care for one another. They seemed to make the best of their situations and were grateful for the opportunity that this organization provides them.
I know that I so often take for granted things like the ability to see, hear, walk and even run. I frequently focus on what I don’t have instead of being grateful for all of the blessings that I do have. Many of us are complaining about our current predicament – myself included. Full disclosure, I really want to go shopping and get my hair done. But, in the scheme of things, are those things really that important? We have so many things to be thankful for – the beauty of nature, a home to stay in, family, and friends to name a few.
By nature, we seem to be somewhat ungrateful people. In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers. Out of ten, only one came back to praise him! Not very good odds. Seriously guys?!?
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?’” Luke 17:15-17
We as believers ought to make a habit of recognizing the goodness, kindness, and mercy of the Lord in our lives. We should remember, as Paul wrote, that,
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
Even when times are tough, you can always find something to be grateful for. “Count Your Blessings” (Johnson Oatman Jr., 1897) is a hymn about gratitude – it’s a call to rise above discouragement, doubt, envy, and self-pity to reach a new appreciation for the blessings which the Lord has given us. Here’s an excerpt below:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
REFLECT
Begin to keep a gratitude journal, listing three things that you are grateful for each day. This practice will help you get in the habit for counting your blessings.
