Thankful Thursday - June 12, 2008

"Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done"

Last weekend we traveled out of state for a family reunion. The family of my great-grandparents comes together each year for a wonderful weekend together. Each year there are about 80-90 in attendance (although this year we maxed out at over 100) that includes members of 5 generations. This year was a little extra special as we celebrated the 90th birthday of my dear, sweet grandmother. Because of this, my father and his siblings along with myself and all my first cousins made sure we were able to attend. As always, this was a special weekend sharing time with family members we are unable to see often. And, unfortunately, as it seems to be each year, we also mourn the loss of one or more family members and/or spend time in prayer for those that are ill or experiencing struggles in their lives.

Just a few weeks ago we unexpectedly lost a member of our family. My great-uncle John was dearly loved by all and, because he was a doctor, was also a family member that had been with many of us in times of illness. He delivered many of my father's cousins (including my father). He will be greatly missed by each one of us and especially by his children and grandchildren.

We also have several family members at this time that are very ill. One in particular that is about to begin chemotherapy treatments as he has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Each year we end our reunion with a time of worship on Sunday morning. Each year a specific family group is responsible for choosing the hymns we will sing together and will share a devotion with the group. This year, my Dad's cousin Reba shared with us in the time of devotion. She spoke and remembered with us each of the ones I have mentioned above and how life is not always easy due to these types of difficulties and others that we may experience. However, she also reminded us that no matter what we are going through, there are ALWAYS blessings. God doesn't just send us through the rough times and that is all we experience. We can experience blessings at the same time. And, many times, we experience blessings that we would never experience if not for the difficulties.

We wrapped up our worship times with the hymn "Count Your Many Blessings". I had not heard this hymn in quite some time and it really spoke to me Sunday morning as we all sang it together as a family. Each one of us is SO blessed... regardless of our personal situations. It is so easy to lose sight of that as we go about our daily lives. Particularly if our daily life is difficult.

So, today, I thank God that there are blessings regardless. I thank Him that He can take any situation -- no matter how wonderful or how difficult -- and He can bring a blessing through that situation.