Count Your Blessings?

Where are the lions?  I want to see the lions.  Regardless of how long we drove and searched, the illusive felines were no where to be seen.  Did they somehow know that I was more of a dog person, not a real cat lover?  So then it became, where are the elephants?  I want to see elephants.  You would think an animal that large could be easily spotted but there were none to be found.  Next it was, where are the Rhinoceros?  I want to see Rhinos!

About the time we were skunked (didn’t see any skunks either) on the Rhino search I recognized that by fixating on the illusive I ran the risk of missing out on what was readily available.  It was a bit childish, like a kid on a trip who pesters, “are we almost there?”  An impatient discontented traveling mindset can cause one to miss out on large portions of life’s journey.  Three hours at the Nairobi Animal park provided views of more wild animals than most see it a lifetime and yet there was a temptation to concentrate on what I could not see.

Do you ever find yourself fixated on something you do not have, your focus shifted to things not currently within your grasp?  It’s all to common, maybe human nature to want what we do not have at the expense of ignoring or neglecting that which is within view.  Maybe this whole discontentment thing started with that couple who had an entire garden to enjoy but chose instead to grasp for the apple.  (Disclaimer; “Apple” is not intended to be a theological conclusion.  If you think it was a mango, banana or pear you have my blessing.)

It is possibly, for example, to miss out on a beautiful family because your eye is caught by what another person has or appears to have.  “If only my spouse was like their spouse,” or, “Life would be so much better if my children were more like those children,” or even,  “That’s a sweet ride, wish I could trade in my clunker for some cash and one of those beauties.” 

Can you see the trap?  Always coveting, never satisfied, a life of discontent when in reality our homes are full of one of a kind priceless treasures.

The potential to capture contentment could be as close as listing your blessings.  This would not be a wish list but a thank-you list.  Perhaps you use a checklist when you go to the supermarket.  Each item you pick up marked off the list as it’s placed in the shopping cart.  That’s not a bad type of list but frankly I’m talking about a different kind of inventory, one based on what’s in the cupboard rather than what’s missing. 

My "I’m thankful” list would begin something like this:

1.  A warm home to live in. 

2.  Food enough for today. 

3.  A wife who loves me (even though I don’t always deserve that love).

4.  A son who encourages me to believe in a new generation and keeps me on my toes with his off balance whit.

5.  A daughter who lifts me with her sunbeam smile and spot on humor. 

6.  A warm and accepting Church Family.

7.  My favorite chair. 

8.  Cloths that keep me warm. 

9.  Friends whom I know would listen if I need them.

10. Donuts Ice Cream and Hershey’s chocolate.

11. Another day’s worth of breath and the life it provides  

11.  12.  13.  14…..   Do you get it?  I hope so.  Now I challenge you get out some paper or your laptop and take this seriously.

Invariably someone will say or at least think, “I don’t have any of those things… there is nothing in my life to be thankful for.”  For starters you can write this down…  

1.  I am grateful for a God who loves me even if I struggle to see His blessings in my life.  Or  2.  I’m grateful that I can feel, even though I don’t feel great today.  Because I can feel there is hope for tangible improvement. 

If you would allow me to be blunt, here’s the reality.  You might just need to fess up and write, 3. I’m grateful that I can focus on the negative because focusing on the negative is what I want to do.  If there are blessing in my life I refuse to see them or at least to acknowledge they existence.  I am most content when I am unhappy, unsatisfied, uncomfortable and ungrateful.

Ouch, I hope that isn’t you, but if it is, I hope you still love me.   Most of all I plead with you, please don’t choose to see life that way.  Learn the power and joy of contentment..  Learn to focus your thoughts and feelings on the blessings of God.   We’re taught in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” _(NIV)

What a great guideline for the list you are about to write!