Counting your blessings by Cheryl Sidler

In the movie White Christmas, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing a duet called Counting Your Blessings.  Part of the lyrics are: 

“If you're worried and you can’t sleep,
just count your blessings instead of sheep
and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.” 

Sweet movie.  Nice lyrics.  When someone asks you to count your blessings, what tops your list?  Some people say, “family, home, children, job, and health.”  These are blessings.  We should be thankful if these are on our list.  But the current sermon series in the Book of Job reminds us of how fragile these blessings are.  I’ve often wondered if our list should have a different top five.  

In The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, she related a story from her time in a concentration camp when she would lead Bible study with the other ladies in her sleeping area where they were infested with fleas.  Corrie’s sister was prompted from the Bible to thank God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  – even for the fleas.  They found out later that the guards would steer clear of inspecting their area because of the fleas, which was the only way they could get by with even having a Bible, much less to study it.  So they thanked God for fleas and shared the Gospel.   

Sometimes I read stories about Christian martyrs.  I find that doing this helps my perspective in so many areas of life.  It also causes me to ponder, when all else is gone, what blessings remain?  Where is your treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)?  

So, as Christians, what blessings cannot be taken from us?  Forgiveness and salvation through the Blood of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit.  The love of God.  Eternal life through Christ.  Every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

While preparing for my women’s group to begin the church-wide Bible study, The Essential Bible Guide by Whitney T. Kuniholm, I was reminded that to know God through His Word (UP) is another blessing that cannot be taken.  So, let’s embrace the opportunity and privilege to love it, learn it, and live it in community with fellow Christians (IN).  Let’s read it prayerfully, ponder what we’ve heard, memorize much and store it in our hearts.  

As for all the other blessings?  They are icing on the most amazing cake.  And, why are we blessed?  To be a blessing (OUT).  

I keep a quote in my Bible from an anonymous source that basically states that God seeks people who say to Him, “Your answers to prayer are wonderful! Thanks for all You’ve done! But even if I never got another answer, it would be enough just to know You!”

Be sure to stay mindful of, and to thank God for, the blessings that are ours eternally through Jesus Christ.  Thank Him for all the other blessings too… Yes, even the “fleas.”  And ask Him how you can be a blessing for His glory.