We never realize fully how truly blessed we are until we lose our blessings, or see someone who has less. I read of a man who had six children that were in need of shoes for the new school year. His washing machine had quit as well. Seeing an ad in the local paper about a used washing machine for sale, he went to check it out. During his conversation with the owner he mentioned his problem of feeding and clothing six children, especially the immediate need of shoes. He also explained that they had one child who had been paralyzed from birth, and he had never needed a pair of shoes. The owner of the washing machine gave it to the struggling father, and then he kneeled down by his bed and gave thanks for the worn shoes in his own house. Many of our gripes could be turned into “thanks” to the Lord. The Bible says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. (I Thess. 5:18)
How’s your health? Not so good? Well, thank God you’ve lived this long. Many people did not. Are you hurting? Visit a hospital or rehabilitation clinic and you’ll find those who hurt more. Some did not wake up this morning. You did! Some who woke up could not get up. You could! Is your vision dim? Look at the blind. Does it hurt sometime when you walk? Look at the crippled, or the amputee.
How’s your pocketbook? Pretty thin? Most of the world is a lot poorer. No pensions; no welfare; no food stamps; no social security; no medicare. One third of the world goes to bed hungry every night.
s your faith in God weak at times? The majority of the world’s people do not know God. They have no Bible and have never heard the gospel preached. They have no faith. You have God’s word which is the source of faith. (Rom. 10:17) If you are in Christ, you have access to every spiritual blessing God gives. (Eph. 1:3) Even problems in the local congregation seem minor when you hear of those others are facing.
A thief broke into the home of Matthew Henry, the Bible scholar, and stole some money. He then entered these words into his diary. “Let me be thankful that he never robbed me before, and that he took only my money and not my life, and although he took all I possessed, it was not much, and that it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed”. Paul wrote, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful”. (Col. 3:15)There are so many things in our lives for which we can be thankful. And it’s always the grateful heart that expresses thanks. Let’s all be thankful for what others do for us. Let’s be thankful for what God does for us. Let’s tell them.
-Richard
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