The Power of Counting our Blessings
My family and I live in a place called Aka Aka, a small farming community in the tip top of the northern Waikato. A few years ago we got a couple of goats to tend the paddocks. Great at keeping the grass down, they also tidy up food scraps and perform light 'guard goat' type duties when strangers come down the drive.
I have noticed, however, one interesting character flaw they have that reminds me very much of not just other people I know but, sadly, myself sometimes.
Whenever we move the goats into a new paddock, the first thing they do is wander over to the fence line, stick their head through the wire and strain their necks out as far as they can to nibble grass just out of their reach. This is despite standing knee-deep in lush green grass all around them….
It reminds me of how easy it is to continually think that there is always something better somewhere else and what we have is not good enough. Our car is too old, our TV is only 42", or our iPhone is only an 8.
This attitude leads to an ungrateful spirit, and I really believe shuts down much of the joy God has for us. We focus so much on what we don’t have, that we miss out on the incredible blessings God HAS given us.
However, I once heard a great quote – “The grass is always greener... when you water it!” When we stop looking over the fence, give thanks to God and concentrate on what we do have, that’s when we can live lives that are far more fulfilling.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
Today I ask you to take stock of all the good things God has given you. It may be a car that is reliable, a job you enjoy and friends you can trust. Whatever it is you choose, remember that God is your provider, so take the time to thank Him today for what He has done for you.
God bless and go for it!
Tom O’Neil