A Lesson In Thankfulness

"I have so much to be thankful for!"

I hear people say that so often, but on the few occasions that they've been challenged to begin to list some of all that "so much," they get hung up after five to seven things.

The truth is, we take so much for granted that sometimes we need a lesson in thankfulness for all the little blessings that are ours each day.

I have been in the midst of just such a lesson and want to recommend this to you if you would like a refresher course in remembering to thank God for the little things: get yourself a badly congested nose.

It doesn't matter if it's from a common cold or a sinus condition. There is nothing like it to remind one of all the things we take for granted, like the ability to breathe freely and easily.

I have sniffed and snuffed and gasped for air and been forced to suffer the indignity of "mouth-breathing" for several days now and I tell you I miss good, old-fashioned nose-breathing. You know. The way God intended breathing to be.

I have also realized that it is something that I have taken for granted for far too long and I am going to be much more careful to thank my Heavenly Father for this and many other "little things" that aren't so little when they are gone.

Like the fact that my heart beats so well and regularly every day. And the fact that I don't have any ingrown toe-nails. Like the fact that far more works in my life than doesn't. And that I have a mind that is still able to think. And a mouth that is capable of thanksgiving and praise if I'll just get on with the business of truly counting my blessings, especially the "small" ones.

I think what my stuffed up nose has taught me (after 56 years of lessons on the subject, you wonder how I could be so dumb for it to take that long) is that there are no "small" blessings. Every one is a precious gift from God. It's just that we don't miss them or even become aware of them until they are not there.

Celebrate every gift. Even the small ones. I can assure you that I'll be thanking and praising God when I can breathe freely again. I'm already thanking Him for the memory of when I could.

Pray for revival. Pray fervently. Pray consistently and insistently. Be humble, but let God know you mean business about wanting revival in our nation so much that it would even be all right with you if He chose to start with you.

In His Love
Walter