Count Your Blessings!

Some mornings life feels like a gentle breeze on the porch, and other mornings it feels like you’ve been tossed around like a squirrel in a tumble dryer. That’s when that old hymn “Count Your Blessings” (Johnson Oatman, Jr.) comes strollin’ up, plops down in the rocking chair beside you, and says, “Honey, start countin’ before you start complainin’.”

Because let’s be honest, most of us can spot a problem faster than a hound dog spots a ham bone. But blessings? Those little rascals hide like Easter eggs in tall grass. You gotta look for ’em.

The hymn says, “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed…” which is fancy talk for “when everything’s goin’ sideways.” That’s when you start naming your blessings one by one, like counting fireflies in a mason jar. Before long, you’re surprised at what the Lord has done, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll realize He’s been mighty busy.

Sometimes life hands you a burden so big you wonder if the Lord mixed up your order with somebody else’s. But the hymn reminds us: count your blessings, and doubts will fly off like chickens startled by a screen door slam. Gratitude has a way of lightening the load even if the load doesn’t change.

Paul said, “In everything give thanks” (I Thessalonians 5:18). Not for everything, nobody’s thankful for flat tires or burnt biscuits, but in everything. Because God’s fingerprints are all over your story, even the messy chapters.

And 1 Chronicles 16:8 says to “thank Him, call on Him, and tell folks about Him.” In other words:

• Thank Him out loud (He likes hearing it).

• Call on Him often (He’s never too busy).

• Brag on Him freely (He’s earned it).

That’s when you remember. His goodness, His mercy, His patience, His rescue missions in your past. Remember the cross. Remember the hope of Heaven. Remember the joy of your family and friends, and that every step brings you closer to seeing Him face‑to‑face.

Lord, help me to count blessings faster than I count problems. Open my eyes to Your goodness, steady my heart with gratitude, and let my thankfulness spill out onto everyone around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Now go on, friend. Get to countin’. Surprise! Surprise! You’ve got more blessings than a pecan tree’s got squirrels or pecans!

With joy,

Gwen