Blessed Beyond Measure!

I am truly blessed.  In addition to the blessing of salvation.  In addition to the blessing of God’s amazing love and grace.  In addition to Jesus’ sacrifice for me.  In addition to Daddy’s promised gift of Holy Spirit.  Perhaps it’s not really in addition to all these things, but as an outflow of these things.  It was in thinking about the people with whom I recently had a heart-to-heart conversation that the overflowing sense of blessing spilled over into this message!

I am blessed to know several amazing missionaries around the world.  Blessed to have gone to some of the places where amazing missionaries give of their lives in reaching out with the love of Christ to people of other cultures.  Blessed to have given housing and food to several missionaries and their families over the years.  Blessed to be able to hear their heartbeat – for it’s the heartbeat of our God – for the people in the places they now call “home.”

Beyond all these missionary blessings, I am especially blessed to have the honor and privilege of calling some of these amazing people my friends – dear friends.  They don’t just want to know me so I’ll share their visions, sow into their ministries, or minister to their needs.  They want to know my heart, share my vision, and minister to my needs!  They truly want to be my friend.

Thank You, Daddy, for blessing me so richly, and for loving me so much as to bring friends like these into my life, over and over and over!  I truly am blessed beyond measure!

An Attitude of Gratitude

When I deliver my Meals-on-Wheels route each week, I listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio, with his advice on how to handle money to get out of debt and stay that way.  Every now and then, he quotes someone who has made a statement that really grabs my attention.  What I share here can hardly be called a quote, since I didn’t write it down while driving, so I can’t seem to write it exactly as I heard it.  I didn’t even catch the name of the originator.  With all those disclaimers, here it is:

The more time we spend counting our blessings, the less time we will spend thinking about the things we don’t have.

I certainly needed to hear this, though I don’t think I’ve been focusing so much lately on what I don’t have.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been particularly thankful, either.  I needed this simple statement to readjust my perspective to one of thanksgiving.  Life is so much better when I have an attitude of gratitude regardless of my circumstances.  Isn’t that what Paul referred to in Philippians 4:11-12?

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

The secret is found in verses 4 – 7:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This has really ministered to me as I considered it, the Word bringing the correction – for my good.  This is such a simple and profound key that we need right now – no matter where we reside.  We must purpose to live with an attitude of gratitude, finding God’s peace and contentment there.

Rejoicing and being thankful always – together with you!

Kay