Counting Blessings: Weekly Reflection

By Patheos staff

I will extol the LORD at all times;
       his praise will always be on my lips.

 My soul will boast in the LORD;
       let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

 Glorify the LORD with me;
       let us exalt his name together.  ~  Psalm 34: 1-3

Reflect on your present blessings of which every one has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all have some. ~ Charles Dickens

Who can think about counting blessings without hearing Big Crosby sing about it in White Christmas? Listen and watch, thanks to YouTube!

Today I'm counting my blessings. No special reason: I'm just aware that I spend more time counting my problems and struggles than I do counting God's little blessings to me every day.

So today, I'm counting . . .

. . . a fresh brewed cup of coffee in the morning: the smell of it throughout the house, and that "za zing" that wakes you up and gets you ready to face the day.

. . . bird songs in the morning, and the blessing of a quiet day to listen to them.

. . . summertime and the warmth of the summer sun on my face, and the joy that it brings to me.

. . . little kids playing at the beach, making sand castles, and splashing in the water, and running away from the tide, giggling all the way.

. . . the taste of summer's bounty, fresh from the farm: watermelons, corn on the cob, tomatoes sweet and juicy, running down my face.

. . . a cold beer on a hot summer afternoon that quenches my thirst, after an afternoon workout.

. . . air conditioning in my car, and in my home, when the summer sun becomes too much to endure.

. . . beautiful people whose beauty is more apparent with summer's clothing, and my ability to see them and appreciate them as God's works of art.

. . . friends and family who make me laugh, and feed my body and soul with food and friendship.

. . . that moment late in the day when the sun finally sinks into the evening sky and we are left with just a pleasant memory of the day now gone, and the promise of starlight and a cool summer evening.

. . . the internet, that connects me with home and with the world, even when I'm away camping in the wild.

. . . and the silence of morning, that puts me in touch with my God, and reminds me this day, that as I am, I am loved.

Can you count your blessings today? Right now? Even in the midst of your problems and struggles? How is God blessing and loving you in this very moment?

Now pray . . .