In our songbooks we have a song called Count Your Blessings. "Count your blessings name them one by one."

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." {Ephesians 1:3} There is no greater blessing than what God did for us when He sent His only begotten Son who died so that we could live. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." {John 3:16} Did He choose us because we deserved it? "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." {Ephesians 1:4}

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" {Acts 20:35} This verse has meant more to me during the past few years while we were caring for our loved ones. My brothers and sisters in Christ gave to my family concern, prayers, love, and time, which helped us through a difficult time in our lives. I have learned through your actions how to be a better Christian, and for that I am truly thankful. Your Christian examples were seen by a member of our own blood family, and that person expressed how wonderful our church family was. I do love my blood family dearly, but I never thought there could be such closeness as I have with my brethren in Christ. I count it a blessing to have this kind of unity with my spiritual family.

I also feel blessed to live in this country with its freedom to worship. We are a people who have been blessed with so many material things which, when this life is no more, will mean nothing! God wants us to prosper and for this we should always be thankful. "And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure." {1 Corinthians 4:12}

Last, but not least, I am blessed with a wonderful family. My three daughters Angel, Ashley, and Andrea are my pride and joy. More importantly, they are also my sisters in Christ; for this I'm extremely thankful. The goodness and faithfulness of my children is certainly a blessing for which I thank God daily. My constant prayer is that God helps them to remain faithful during their journeys here.

My husband Jeff is a blessing for which I can't thank God enough. He is strong, yet gentle, cares greatly about others, provides for his family, and most important of all, loves God with all his soul, heart, and mind. If it weren't for my husband's persisting, after hearing the radio program, that we come and visit Knollwood, I probably would never have heard the truth. My gratitude for that cannot be expressed by words. In our years of marriage, he has taught, and continues to teach, me so much. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." {Ephesians 5:25} Thank you Jeff for loving me; you're my special blessing sent from God above.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." {James 1:17} Count your blessings and see what GOD has DONE for you!!

Sandy, has given us much to ponder. Do we sometimes forget the things we cherish the most in this life--our blessings from the hand of our Father in heaven? When did you last thank God for the blessings in your Life? Thanks, for the reminder Sandy!---KG