Count Your Blessings

How many of you like campfires?  While at our cottage at camp this year we decided to have a campfire one night.  The wood we had was from last year and had been sitting outside all winter and spring.  So, as we tried to start a fire, it ended up taking quite a while for the wood to decide to burn.  You know what we had a lot of?  We had a lot of smoke.  It was rolling out of the pit grey and black and smelly.  Let me say here that our neighbors weren’t so thrilled about our decision to have a campfire with wet wood!  Windows were closing, doors were closing, eyes were rolling, well you get the picture!  Eventually, though, it took off and after a bit of time we had a mesmerizing fire with flames of bright yellow and red.  It is fascinating to watch.

There are times in our lives when we go through trials or when we make poor choices that we become like that wet wood.  We love God and we’re doing our best, but life seems to have gotten the better of us and we feel like our fire will never shine bright again.  We are smoky, smoldering, maybe not so pleasant to be around, angry at the world, waiting for the day when our life will take off into flames again. We are waiting for a time when we will be vibrant and burning bright for the Lord and all those around us.

For several years of my life I just smoldered like a fire trying to start on wet wood.  Barely keeping enough spark to keep the smoke rolling.  Life was so difficult and I didn’t feel like I could press on.  Sometimes things just keep pressing in around us and we can’t see or breathe through all the smoke.  There were times I could barely stand myself and times when I had no desire to be around other people.  Let me tell you, it is a hard thing to avoid people when you are married to the Pastor!  

Thankfully, God still loves us even when we are only smoldering.  He understands our situations, He has compassion and even when we think the “wet wood” of our lives won’t even smolder anymore, He is there.   Matthew 28:20b “…."And remember that I am always with you until the end of time."  What a precious reminder that is to us all!  We are never alone.   Even though our flame is not burning brightly all the time, we can still smolder.  We can still press on, push forward and trust that the flame will come back again.  

Life is very hard at times.  But it is not all bad.  When we are smoldering and there is so much smoke around us it is just hard to see the good things.  We have to work harder at seeing through that smoke and finding the good things of this life.  It is surprising when we start looking for the positive things what we will find.  Even though they may seem very small on the list of “good”, they are significant and we need to thank the Lord for all the good that comes our way.  Have you stopped looking for the good through the smoke?  If you have, make today the day you start to look again.  If it helps, get a notebook and jot down the date and then everyday list the things you are thankful for on that day.  You will be surprised how much you will notice when you start to count your blessings! 

Many of you will recognize this old Hymn of the Church….

                                

“Count Your Blessings” 

written by Johnson Oatman, Jr:

“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 has done.

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.

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 be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small

Do not be discouraged, 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 has done

Count your blessings, name them one by one

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”

Not only are there many blessings each day, but we have the promise of receiving “the crown of life that the Lord has promised.”  The day is drawing near when we will reap the greatest  blessing of all:  Heaven.  We will spend eternity in the presence of The King of Kings.  What a thought, what a promise, what a blessing! 

Do you know Jesus?  If  not, you can.    Are you smoldering these days?  That’s ok, press on because it won’t stay that way.   Are you burning brightly?  If so, share Jesus with everyone you meet!

James 1:12 (NIV)  “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” 

So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! 

Our God is a God of Miracles! 

Count Your Blessings…