Counting My Blessings

I enjoy reading Christian genres, watching YouTube uploads by the common man, and hearing other people’s stories. It helps me to better enjoy the world and the wide variety of inhabitants.

Just this evening, I went on one of my email accounts and found a very fascinating story. It was the story of a Middle Eastern immigrant who had heard and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, in his particular country, Christianity is not accepted or even tolerated.

He went on to say that somehow, the government learned of his conversion to Christianity, so they arrested him. They insisted that he recant and when he didn’t, he was tortured for several weeks, in an effort to make him change his mind; however, he never did. He escaped from the prison and left his country.

He is now working as a missionary in another country where Christianity is not only tolerated, but encouraged. The country realizes that true Christians tend to make better citizens.

As I mulled over his unfortunate set of circumstances, I began to think about all of the things that too often, I’ve taken for granted living in a country, which has religious freedoms. Oh how blessed I truly am!

Sure, I don’t live in a big fancy house, but I do live in a house that is mortgage free and comfortable.

I don’t drive the latest and greatest automobile on the road, but thank God he has given me, not one, but a choice of three different vehicles to ride in or to drive, all of which is without monthly payments.

My refrigerator is not stocked with prime rib, T-bone steaks or caviar, but it is filled with wholesome, edible foods that don’t clog up my arteries or raise my blood sugar.

Although, I don’t sleep in a huge canopied bed, with silk sheets and heating timers, I do have a very comfortable king sized bed, in which to rest my aching body.

I could go on about the lack of a huge bank account; the lack of my own personal airplane or helicopter; or even my failure to own beachfront property. But I’ll not complain regarding the lack of those things, for I have no need of them.

When I continue to look around at all of my many blessings, I begin with thanking God for a heart to love Him. I thank Him for mobility of limbs, for there are so many, much younger than me who don’t have that. I’m grateful for a good clear mind and a desire to help and bless others.

Now, when I take my eyes off of me, I thank God for my awesome husband; one of the kindest, most gentle souls you could ever meet. I’m grateful for each of my children, both biological and step, which includes all of the grands, as well.

I’m grateful for good neighbors; gracious church members; awesome social media friends and business acquaintances; wonderful readers of my blog and countless other things. Yes, I am truly thankful.

I have learned that it is so easy to take things for granted; to complain and belly ache about any and everything and to gripe about nothing. But among the greatest joys that one can experience is the joy of gratitude. It gets the serotonin flowing and you just feel good all over.

Therefore, today, I am going to challenge you to go one full day, without complaining about anything, and being grateful for everything. Go on, count your blessings. I just did and it was awesome!

More: Lessons About God