that from the LORD I have in store,
for even while I try to count them,
He comes and gives me blessings more;
Day by Day He walks beside me,
cheering me when trials are hard;
He keeps my soul whate'er betide me;
I cannot count my blessings from the Lord."
From "I Cannot Count My Blessings" by Rev. A.L. Clanton
Copyright 1956, by Stamps Quartet Music Co., Inc in "Gospel Truth"
For two weeks now I have been counting my blessings day by day, a little personal experiment to see if it elevates my daily attitude. Even on the slow days and in my low, "in between" places I'm still able to record blessings and I'm finding that it's hard to stay discouraged while actively focusing on the positive. With my eyes on God, I can see his handprint in even the smallest of instances. God is good!
This exercise in gratefulness has taught me to view all assumed coincidences as "God-incidences." My Heavenly Father, who "Declar[es] the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done..." (Isaiah 46:10) has faithfully orchestrated events and seemingly small, every day decisions, to provide for my future needs without any awareness on my part. It makes me wonder how many “God-incidences” I have missed throughout my lifetime. Why am I so hasty to assume mere happenstance in a world created by God's providential plan? When I concentrate on God, keeping my eyes on him and what he is doing in my life, my attitude is elevated and I get little, tantalizing glimpses of how he is preparing me for my expected end.
Here is a perfect example; on Friday, without warning, $400.00 was transferred out of my bank account to pay a debt. At first, in consideration of my budget, I panicked. After calling the bank and discovering that the transfer was irreversible I did the only thing I could, I turned to God in prayer. Help Lord! In time God reminded me of all the ways he has provided for me in the last few years and I made the active decision to praise him instead of letting my circumstances dwarf my faith in God.
From that moment, in a matter of hours, I could see how choices made one week and even up to three months ago, all lined up to provide the financial relief I needed for this week. The Thursday before, I had filled my gas tank, something I never do. Because of that spontaneous decision I have enough gas to last a week. I even remember wondering while I was waiting for my truck to guzzle all 120.00 worth of gas, why I had chose to fill up on that day of all days. The wind was cold, there was a freezing drizzle, I was already going to be late for work and my daughter had just called to tell me she had forgotten her glasses at home, so I still had to drive back to the house and the school. This is just one of the many "God-incidences" that I realized over the next day.
One or two incidences could maybe be tallied up as coincidences, but when you are living your life for God He uses all things for our good. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NKJ) A check mailed one day later than I had planned, dog food that I forgot to give away three months ago is perfect for a puppy just turned a year old; a full tank of gas in my truck; a wasted trip home searching for a pair of glasses that weren't there simply to give me cause to remember the oddness of the event three days later, changing my mind last minute on Friday morning just before I was about to give a $60.00 contribution check I didn't yet know I wouldn't be able to afford, and a split second decision not to pay my utility bill early like I had originally budgeted, and when calamity hit my bank account the flash back to the scripture I had read a few days before regarding one of the names of God, Jehovah-Jireh. ("The Lord will Provide", Genesis 22:14)
And the Lord did provide; all of my creditors were willing to give me extensions so I wasn't charged bank fees, the check mailed late never arrived at its destination, a support check will come on Friday, and a friend gave me an unexpected gift. Time and time again God proves to me his faithfulness and blesses me new each morning.
So, this is my case for daily recording my blessings. Since January 1st, there were only two days where I didn't faithfully follow through with this exercise. Those two days were notably the lowest days in my personal attitude toward life. I was depressed and struggled each day. It pays to count the blessings: The rain didn't freeze, the sun shone, the bed was soft, a peaceful house, a great job, an active mind, friends to share with, a full fridge....GOD IS GOOD!
God Bless
Amy Charissa Warren
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