Being Thankful

As I look back over the past year, I am able to count my blessings. They far outweigh my trials and difficulties. In those times of difficulty, I found the best cure for discouragement was being able to focus on all the blessings God had bestowed upon me.

I would suggest you take a few moments this Thanksgiving season [no it is not Turkey Day as people would have you believe] and make a list of all the blessing God has given you. It will surprise you like it did me to realize my blessings far outweighed my difficulties. In 1897 Johnson Oatman, Jr wrote the following:

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.

The Psalmist said, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truthh endureth to all generations." [Psalm 100:4, 5]

Happy Thanksgiving!!