“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good: for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

Counting our Blessings

“There is an old saying,, ‘Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” If each of us were to make a list of all that we have to be grateful for we would realize that what we have is enough, and in most cases more than enough. Too often we focus on what we do not have, and do not value what we do have. Wanting too much creates many problems, ultimately bringing upon us discontent and unhappiness. Being thankful makes us concentrate on the good things in life, and it brings with it a feeling of contentment. As we express gratitude we become less tense, and we feel joy and fullness of life. As theologian Henri Nouwen once said, “Gratitude becomes a quality of our hearts that allows us to live life joyfully and peacefully even in the midst of our struggles.” In 1941 Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday of November of every year as a National day of Thanksgiving to remind us of all that we have to be thankful for. So as we gather with family and friends to share the Thanksgiving feast this week let us take time out to count our blessings.

gracedeacon@gwi.net