“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

Count Your Blessings

I have two hummingbirds and four feeders. And yet, the two birds fight over one feeder. The scene is comparable to us on the path of life. We have blessings beyond measure… daily, yet we grumble to God when someone seems to receive something bigger, brighter, or more often. We believe what someone else owns has greater value.

The biggest blessing we have to those of us who have a personal relationship with Christ is our salvation.

The second biggest blessing that everyone has is the breath of life. We go to sleep at night, in peace, if we so choose, and the next morning, we wake up and we are breathing. There was absolutely nothing we did to make this happen. It is also a Divine gift.

When you look at what is going on in the world, value the gift of breath. It is here today and then gone instantaneously.

We may not have a powerful breath if we are struggling with an illness, but if you are reading this… then you have breath for another moment.

Often we take blessings, such as breath, for granted. We wake up and our mind goes into autopilot. We think of everything that concerns us on a new day.

Can we get the things we need to get done when we are alone?

What is going to happen to our children at school today?

Will we be able to pay our bills this month? What if there is an emergency?

What is going to happen in our world next?

Before the day has begun, we are exhausted and out of breath. Instead, when we awake, we should make time to breathe deeply and think about how valuable that gift is. Why are we blessed with another moment, another day? I know, that when there are children and pets in the home, it is difficult to lie still for a moment. It’s not impossible.

If you generate a time to acknowledge all the blessings that you have, you won’t be meditating on what you assume you are lacking.

How many times have you deeply yearned for a popular knickknack or the latest digital toy, only to buy it, use it once or twice, then it disappears in a drawer like the long-lost white elephant gift?

Do you remember how many boxes you have taken to the local thrift store? The items you have set out for free at the corner of your yard? Those are things we once coveted.

Why not hunger for things of more value?

Why not use your time, talent, and resources with those who are hurting?

So many come to mind right now…

The flood victims of Eastern Kentucky.

Those who had to leave their homes because of wildfires.

Families that have escaped the war in Ukraine.

Children who need mentors. Many children have struggled with the losses of the pandemic.

Teachers and medical staff and police officers and firefighters… all needing encouragement.

Single parents.

In the morning… Find a quiet place, if just for a few minutes. Give thanks for all that God has done and blessed you with.

“The point is that somewhere, someone needs the gifts that God has blessed you with. When you allow Him to use you in those gifts, people will be blessed by it.” G. Brockman

Meditate further: Jeremiah 17:7-8; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 23:1-2