Another day of blessings to be thankful for . . .

It's a bit of a grey start to the day this morning, but there is a brightness doing its best to come through the cloud. How easy it would be to only see the greyness, missing out on all that lies beyond. Just a couple of months ago the gardens were looking bare, resting up through the winter, but now there are flowers coming in to bloom everywhere. Crocus and snowdrops abound, and lots of daffodils have been out for a while. The picture above was taken last year at Lake Vyrnwy in Wales, and is a scene that is repeated year in, year out, delighting visitors to the area and reminding them of the continuity of life and the blessings that God pours into our lives constantly.

One of the things that I love about the natural world is that no matter how many times I visit places of beauty they always look fresh and new. This reminds me also that the things that God blesses us with are always fresh and new as well, no matter how many times we might receive them. It's like the blessing of the Exiles in the Wilderness. God gave them fresh manna every day to feed on, and I'm sure that each new day they were as thankful as the day previous. He gives us bread every day to sustain our souls, and to obtain it all we need to do is to turn to His Word and feed upon it. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life ..." The blessings that we receive from God's Word help us in our daily walk with Jesus.

One of the first things that I do each morning is to check out the latest news and find out what is going on in the world. It helps to maintain my interest in the world around me, an important factor in being able to share in the things that matter to others. Through the news we are able to feel the whole gamut of emotions, depending what the main stories are, knowing that we share the feelings with others.

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If the news in the media can affect us so much, how much more can the good news contained in the Bible do for us. The good news of the Gospel message that Jesus brought into the world is good news for everyone, not just a section of the population. No matter what race or ethnic group, or even what religious group, people belong to, the good news of Salvation through Christ is there for every person on earth. Now that really is good news!

Spend at least part of today reflecting on the blessings in your life. You'll be surprised just how many there are. In fact, if you try to count them then you'll soon run out of fingers and toes to add up on! I think that the song written by Johnson Oatman Jr. sums it up.

Count Your Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

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Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

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When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

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So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.