It seems that when I go without something I usually take for granted or see someone else lacking one of the blessings I have, I realize how thankful I am.
In other words, I'm afraid that I am often thankful after the fact when I should be thankful in everything.
One of our friends recently moved to Alaska and is living inside the Arctic Circle, and right now, there is only one, maybe two hours of daylight each day. I frankly cannot imagine not seeing the sun or at least light for months on end. After only a few days without sunlight, I was eager for the sun to shine again.
Last night, I was given another vivid reminder to be thankful when I went with my dad to a home dedication for our area's Habitat for Humanity. The new home was several towns away from us, so it was a nice drive with good discussion. When we arrived, the house was full of people milling about -- family, friends, people from the community, one of the local pastors, and staff from Habitat. I didn't know anyone except Dad, so I followed him around as he toured the house and visited.
The small, four bedroom home was built for a single father and his five children. I couldn't pick out which of the several children running about went with the father until everyone gathered for the ceremony and he stood with his family in the middle. After Dad welcomed everyone and thanked them for being there, the young father was asked to introduce his family: four girls and a little boy. I guessed their age range to be thirteen to three. After introducing his children, the father tried to thank everyone, but he was so overwhelmed that all he could do was bury his face in his young son's chest and sob.
In that moment, I saw all I had been given flash before my eyes and I was so thankful -- for being raised in an intact home by Christian parents, for the house we have called home for nearly all of my life, for never having to worry about my needs being provided for. Here was this young father trying to raise his children on his own, struggling to do the best for them with what he had been given. Thanks to his hard work and a giving community, he now has his own home.
But the battle isn't won yet. The statistics are against his children. Over and over the studies prove that children with one parent have an increased probability to struggle in school, have emotional problems, try drugs and alcohol, and commit crimes. Maybe his son and daughters will turn out fine, only time will tell.
The Apostle Paul writes that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Tim. 6:6). In our consumer-oriented society and especially during the Christmas season, people are focused on making wish lists and buying gifts, while enticing advertising proclaims yet another new product that we simply MUST have.
Yet, even if we were to receive no gifts this Christmas, we would still be blessed beyond measure. Take some time out of the busy holiday season to count your blessings and thank the Lord for the many that you already have, not the ones you're hoping to receive Christmas morning or the things you think you need to be happy. I was reminded of two very big ones this week: sunshine and shelter.
To give you a little help, here is a list from Philip E. Howard Jr.'s book New Every Morning:
"Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father 'daily loadeth us with benefits' (Psalm 68:19). Think of some of the common things which are nevertheless wonderful:
"-- the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily taking in fresh air eighteen to twenty times a minute;
"-- the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the
labyrinth of blood vessels;
"-- the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;
"-- the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so
much as to destroy human and animal life;
"-- the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn,
and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans
accordingly;
"-- the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and
the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;
"-- the beauties of each day - the morning star and growing light of
sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a
peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;
"-- the refreshment that sleep brings;
"-- the simple joys of home - the children's laughter and whimsical
remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding
of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together
in praise to God.
"All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him 'who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalm 103:4-5)."
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High."
- Psalm 92:1
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