Thanksgiving, 2009: Count your blessings, for they are abundant!

Last year was a very hard Thanksgiving; my father, who is 91 years old, was doing very poorly and I was not certain how much longer he would be with us. Daddy was too weak and disoriented to make it to the table with us, and my sister and I were both shocked and saddened at how "un-Daddy" he seemed.

This year, however, there is a new story - isn't God so good?! - and Daddy is back to himself! Sure, he's old and frail, but he knows who we are, and he's up and active instead of dozing the day away. My brother and his lady are in town, his son is due in any moment, and my sister and her two boys will be arriving later tonight.

For Thanksgiving 2009, Mom and Dad will have all their children and grandchildren to celebrate with them!

Truly, this is a great blessing from God Himself.

So, for my readers and for anyone else who may stumble across this in a web search, I want to ask you to step back from your life and take a good, hard look at all the blessings God has poured out upon you. It is true that life can often be bleak and tiring, but even in the midst of trial, there is always the kind hand of God to remind you of His love and mercy.

I am thankful for the breath I breathe each day. I am thankful for the family I have. I am thankful for the good health we have. I am thankful for this time to enjoy my family. I am thankful for the friends I have. I am thankful for the warm house that shelters us. I am thankful for the safe car I drive. I am thankful for jobs we are able to do. I am thankful for the safe travel the past two days.  I am thankful for the church which blesses and nurtures me. I am thankful for the Pastor who leads our church. I am thankful for the freedom to worship in liberty and peace. I am thankful for the food on my plate. I am thankful for computers and the Internet which permit me to add my gratitude to countless others'. I am thankful for warm, comfortable clothing. I am thankful for good medical care. I am thankful for our cuddly pets. I am thankful for the rain on the thirsty ground. I am thankful for the glorious sunrise and sunset every day. I am thankful for my country, which in spite of her faults is still the most wonderful place to live on earth.

I am thankful for so much, and every bit of it is given by the loving, generous hand of God.

If this Thanksgiving finds you lonely and hurting, I pray that God will bring one of His angels your way to remind you of all He has done and of His steadfast love for you. I pray that His Spirit will open your eyes to His marvelous Son, through whom you may receive the gift of eternal life and joy.

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 hath done.
Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain

I pray that this Thanksgiving finds you celebrating with family and friends, and that you enjoy the day with a deep sense of gratitude for all the abundant blessings we have received from the hand of the God who loves us so deeply.