(This post was written by Matt Grimes, Middle School Ministry Pastor)

Ok, so today I am going old school on us.  Growing up we used to sing an old hymn at our church called “Count Your Blessings”.  The song went as follow:

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.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one, *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]

So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I love the reminder that this song gives us.  No doubt all of us face trails both great and small, and in the midst of those trials it is very easy to over look all that God has done, and is doing.  This song reminds us to name the blessings God has given to us one by one.  As we do that something truly amazing happens, we will begin to see all that God has done and be reminded that what we are currently walking through is not out of God’s reach! 

My wife and I have been reminded of this.  Each night we do a devotion together as a family with our brand new little girl.  As part of that time we pray together as a family.  I could tell this week that Carmen was really frustrated that things were not progressing as quickly as she would like for them to.  I challenged us both to sit down the next day and write down at least 10 things that God had blessed us with that we are thankful for.  Last night as we pulled together for our family devotion time it was amazing to see the change in perspective that we both went through.  Our eyes were opened up to see everything that God had already done and it encouraged us to continue to hold tight to the hope that He would not leave us now. 

So for your family are you counting your blessings daily?  As the song says are you naming them one by one, allowing God to remind you of His great faithfulness?  I want to challenge you and your families to sit down individually and do what we did…write down the blessings that God has given to you.  Then come back together as a family and share those with each other.  You will be amazed at everything that God has been up to.  It’s a great habit to build into our lives.  Praying for you guys!