Have you ever wondered where we would be without the many wonderful, rich blessings we have been given from the Giver of Life?

So often it seems as if we are surrounded by negativity… it pulls us in, pulls us down and tries to suck the life out of us. Scientific studies show that a person with an optimistic outlook on life does not get sick as often. If they do get sick, they recover faster than a pessimistic person.  Does life HAVE to be so negative? Is there a way out? YES! There is HOPE! 🙂 What IF…what if today, we were grateful for everything?

There is an old song that says ” 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 hath done.”  The words of this song are so true!

My great grandmother passed away one month before her 108th birthday. Every time we would visit her, she always told us…

I believe that is partly why she lived so long!! I believe we each have 10,000 Reasons for our hearts to sing! Do you?  Ann Voskamp, an author and speaker, had a friend challenge her to write down 1,000 things she loves – to name one thousand blessings – One Thousand Gifts.  Can you write down even 50? 100? 500? 1,000? 10,000 Blessings and gifts from the Heavenly Father? Try starting with just a couple a day and work up! I’ll be joining you too!

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights.
                 His faithful love endures forever.”
-Psalm 136:3-7

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”      -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Blessing for Any Day

Your bountiful presence
is the gift of this day and every day.
Where could we go, Dear One,
that You would not already be?
If we make our bed in the depths, You are there.
If we fly to the heavens, there, too, we find You.
Close in front, close behind.
Your right hand holding us,
Your left hand guiding us.

Your bountiful presence is our dear gift.

Hear our thanks for Your presence.
We feel its generosity
in the first light of morning,
the newspaper on the step,
the smell of coffee, poured and shared,
the sleepy child dressing for school,
the teacher who holds the door and smiles…

Your bountiful presence is our deepest gift.

For the birds whose love song is Your song,
for the sun whose warmth is Your warmth,
for the stars whose shimmering light is Your light,
hear our thanks.
~ Holly McKissick

Bless you! ~ Coach Shannon