BLESSINGS

February 12, 2009

All of the past week's events brought to mind the many blessings in life, and yet so many times we take them for granted. I loved how Elisabeth Elliot has touched on this thought as well in her book "A Quiet Heart." Below are some thought from her, and may you be encouraged this week to consider the blessings in your life, that perhaps you overlook or take for granted.

"-the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily and silently taking in fresh air eighteen to twenty times a minute;

"-the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the labyrinth of blood vessels;

"-the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;

"-the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so much as to destroy human and animal life;

"-the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans accordingly;

"-the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;

"-the beauties of each day-the morning star and growing light of sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;

"-the symphony of early morning bird songs, ranging from the unmusical trill of the chipping sparrow to the lilting ecstasy of the goldfinch and the calm, rich, bell-like tones of the wood and hermit thrushes;

"-the refreshment that sleep brings;

"-the simple joys of home-the children's laughter and whimsical remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together in praise to God.

"All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him 'who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalm 103:4,5).

Enjoy the many blessings that are bestowed upon you in the upcoming week, and may you consider them to be good gifts given to you by God. Our country, our world, may be in economical hardships, but there are always those blessings each and every day that reminds us that life is still good.