Flickr Photo Credit Woodley Wonder Works

The few gathered at my hometown Baptist church each Sunday evening, were faithful and informal.  Pastor would say, “Does anyone have a praise?” The deacon would raise his hand and say in his signature base voice, “I’d like to thank God for….” As if on cue, the remaining brothers and sisters would agree, “Amen”. Pastor would then say, “Does anyone have a hymn they would like to sing?”  The same deacon would say, “Count Your Blessings“.  Without missing a beat, Lois who had been playing softly under the praise offerings, would effortlessly begin this refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings see what God has done.
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one.
Count your Many blessings see what God has done.

Today, I live far from that hometown Baptist church.  Many of the faithful from that small gathering of saints have gone on to sing hymns at the feet of Jesus.  But each Sunday night you will find me counting my blessings, naming them one by one. My goal is 1,000 gifts and along the way I’m learning that gratitude can help me fix my eyes on Jesus, bring a steadiness to my soul, and permeate my home like a cool breeze on a summer day. Do you have a blessing to count?  Can you name them one by one? Come and see what God has done!