A long time ago, when I was a student at Albion College, Michigan (with Methodist ties) we had mandatory Chapel Service attendance.  I was familiar with the Methodist hymns we sang at Wesley Chapel because for years my grandmother played the organ in Methodist congregations.  At this time of year, there was one hymn that I was always looking forward to singing – “Count Your Blessings”.

This beautiful hymn was written by one of the most prolific gospel writers of his day, a Methodist lay preacher named Johnson Oatman.  He was also a successful business man, engaged in a shipping business and then later as an administrator for a large insurance company in New Jersey.

The Chorus of this hymn is catchy and thought provoking as we prepare for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas.

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.

Did you know that ancient Jewish rabbis urged people to count out and speak at least 100 blessings or declarations of gratitude, each day.  Imagine, if the members of Faith Lutheran Church in Naples, Florida listed or spoke aloud 100 blessings daily?

God’s Word encourages this type of awareness and promises an additional blessing in return:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)

A Thanksgiving Prayer:

“O Lord, we thank Thee for our food, For every blessing, every good.   For earthly needs and love bestowed on us from God in heaven above.   Be present at our table Lord, Be here and everywhere adored. Thy children bless and grant that we may feast in paradise with Thee. Amen.

Counting you as a blessing in my life,

Pastor Don Treglown