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A true account is told of a group of young people who had gone to the Caribbean on a mission trip. They didn't travel there for luxuries the area is known for. Instead, they visited a leper colony on the island of Tobago. While there, they held a worship service. We can only imagine the impression that must have left on the hearts and minds of those young teens, as the emaciated lepers filled the bare pews, waiting to worship the God they loved.
There was this one memory, though, that is deeply engraved in the souls of all who attended. The pastor had asked for song selections from the congregants. "Does anyone have a favorite?" he asked. "We have time for just one more." As he spoke, he noticed a timid "hand" go up in the back row. This person, for some reason, had been sitting facing the back of the make-do church all throughout the service. As the pastor called on "the one in the back row", this person turned to face the pastor, and heads turned to see who was going to request a favorite song. There were gasps all around the room as this dear soul turned to be seen. She had no nose, no lips, just bare teeth! She raised her bony nub of an arm (because she had no hand) to request her favorite song. In a barely audible voice, she croaked out, "Could we sing 'Count Your Many Blessings'?"
At that, the pastor stumbled out of the pulpit and ran out into the fresh air, where tears of holy conviction rained down his face and onto the ground. Another congregant rushed to the front of the church and led the singing…Count Your Many Blessings…How could it be? This dear woman, who had so little, carried within her heart…praise!
A friend of the pastor went outside to check on the pastor, saying, "I bet you'll never sing that song again, will you?" To which the pastor replied, "Oh, yes, I'll sing it, but never the same way, ever again!"
I have taken liberty to paraphrase this true account from Nancy Wolgemuth's book, "Choosing Gratitude…Your Journey to Joy." Maybe you, too, gasped as you read of one so grotesquely deformed by leprosy singing out her praises to God for her many blessings. But why? Why does it take such drastic images to conjure up praise in our own hearts? Could it be that our focus is all misplaced?
Some people grumble at why God put thorns on roses, while others wisely notice, in awe and with gratitude, that God has also chosen to put roses among thorns. Same thing, different focus. As our feet hit the floor each new day, we get to choose, don't we?
Have you been in the company of whiners recently? Or do you make it a habit to be in the presence of worshippers? Thankful people inspire our hearts to also be thankful people. They breathe life into our souls, while unthankful people pull others down into the stagnant, murky waters of their selfish, demanding, unhappy ways. A choice before each of us daily.
This is my very favorite time of year for sharing family love. It starts with Thanksgiving, and then deer season, followed up with Christmas. Right now, during deer season, my family is all around me. There are lots of smiles, lots of hugs, some fun joking, and almost more love in my heart for all of them than I can contain. I am very blessed. I well know. During these times, it's quite easy to give thanks and to be grateful. I'm so overjoyed to be with my loved ones, and making new family memories. But…
What about the "off" seasons of my life? Of yours? Will we daily choose to be worshippers rather than whiners? Will we see the good in our daily lives, even when blessings don't seem to be in sight? Being a thankful person is a choice. I just heard someone say, "But you don't know me and you don't know my situation." That may be true, but again, do we want to live powerful lives or pitiful lives?
I have a picture hanging on my wall that reads, "Your life may be the only Bible some will ever read." A sobering thought. I fail miserably at times, and I'm sure you do, as well. In those moments, the choice is ever before us. Will I choose to turn that all around? Will I choose to look for my blessings and count them one by one? Or will I stay in that cesspool of negativity and grumbling? Will I be known as one who lives an ungrateful life? You? How do you want to be remembered?
For many years, during deer season, I would be out in the woods with my husband and sons. We've made precious memories over the years. We've shared stories about "the one that got away", or the one I didn't see because it was "behind that tree." We laugh now, fondly, about me "scoping myself and bleeding all over the four-wheeler, not once, but twice in the same day! I clearly remember saying to myself, "Oh no, not again!" And that story still brings alot of laughter for this very novice hunter.
This year, I've deliberately chosen to just be mom and grandma, staying inside, cooking meals, and just being available to listen, to help where I'm needed, to love all throughout our time together. I'm attempting to be that one who pulls all the loose ends together, to see that my family remembers the smiles, the love, and the good food. In the process, with a family as large as mine, there will always be an offense to overlook, a rude comment to take offense to, or a misunderstanding to mend. I want to be that one who sees all the roses, even among the thorns. I want to choose to not even notice the thorns, and by doing so, maybe, just maybe, my family will get a glimpse of the Jesus I love. Count your many blessings. Name them one by one…live with a grateful heart, and the world will see all that God has done. There is just always, always, always, something to be thankful for!
Lucy C. Smith said, "One thing is indisputable: the chronic mood of looking longingly at what we have not, or thankfully at what we have, realizes two very different types of character." Which will YOU choose today?
The Bible says, "Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It can't get any clearer than that. Let's just give God the thanks due His Holy Name. Others will take notice, that you have spent time sitting at the feet of Jesus…a great way to enter into the coming Christmas celebration. O, come let us adore Him…Christ, the Lord!
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.