Grateful.

What does it mean to be grateful? When I think of grateful I think of all the things I am thankful for, or appreciate, in my life, which are many different things. The dictionary defines grateful as Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful. At the times in my life when I feel on top of the world I could tell you of some things I am grateful for, but when I am under a great trial I tend to forget my most basic blessings and dwell on the tough things. There is a family that has forever changed my life. They were going through more than anyone else that I have personally known, health problems, no money to support family, potential incarceration, and many other things. They were telling us of these problems and how desperate their situation was and increasing worse all the while. This family told how they were about to lose all that they needed, and I am talking needs, but then this man whose soul weighed heavy began to tell us of his blessings.

When I looked at their state I thought that this family had nothing left to be grateful for but, he told how much he loved his wife and kids, how the Lord had already thus far kept him from death when circumstances wouldn’t have allowed if not for a divine miracle. They shared their love for God and his eternal purposes. This family was in the depths of despair and could name blessings that all too often we take for granted. Let us all take a look at what we have and thank God for each and every one of them. Did you just breathe? Welcome to another blessing. Are you wearing something? What a blessing that is. Can you read? Count it. Count your many blessings. (hymn 241, count your blessings) There is too much wrong in this world not to remember the good things that God provides.