When my grandson, William, was only ten years old, he came over my house and presented me with some beautiful Bluebell flowers from his yard. I cherished his little gift and put them in some water to preserve them. Will slept over at our house, and the next morning, he looked out of our front door side panel window. A moment later, he was exclaiming, “Grammy, you have a whole bunch of Bluebells in your front yard!” I ran to the window to see what he was looking at, and sure enough, the left side of our front steps was filled with Bluebells. Will and I looked at each other in amazement, and then we found out that my husband, Joe, had planted Bluebells years ago, and that they spring up every year. I had just never noticed them.

This incident brought to mind a popular idiom that says, “Count your blessings.” I decided to look up the meaning of this expression, and the one I liked the best says that, “When people count their blessings, they concentrate on all the good things in their lives, instead of the negative ones.” It’s all about focus. Every day, we are surrounded by good and bad things. Human nature may be to dwell on the negative, but God wants His devoted ones to have a different perspective. He desires that we intentionally notice, and give thanks for, all the good in our lives.

The Bible says: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” (Psalm 103:2 NLT) Notice how this verse says, “never forget the GOOD things.” Remember them. Recall them. Recount them. And do it on a regular basis. I once heard someone say that it’s an insult to the Lord when His people continually talk about what the devil is doing in the world, and ignore all the good that He is accomplishing around us. No matter how bad things get, there are always things we can give thanks for. Scripture says: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) If sinners want to spend their entire lives griping and complaining, let them. But we, as Christ followers, should always be overflowing with gratitude to God. As the Bible says: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)

As I was writing this message, I came across an anonymous quote that says, “The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.” Let’s make this the day we stop taking God’s blessings for granted!

Prayer: Lord, please do a work in my heart so that I never forget the good things You do for me. Help me to remember them, recall them, and recount them on a regular basis. Teach me how to continually overflow with gratitude to You. Thank You that as I make a habit of counting my blessings, I will reap a harvest of blessings in return!