Do you have everything you need to be happy? Want to talk to someone?
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1. Timothy 6:6).
The telemarketer was trying to convince me that the product he was trying to sell me would greatly improve my life.
“Thank you,” I said. “But I have everything I need to be happy.”
“Wonderful!” he said and hung up. It works every time! Try it!
But really, I wasn’t just joking. When I think of where I’ve come from and where I’m now, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Let me tell you what I mean.
A few decades ago, my mother came to Canada as a war widow with four small children and a huge travel debt. She worked as a farmhand, a cleaning maid, and in a cannery until the day she turned 65. In time she had paid off all her debts, even the mortgage on her own home. Moreover, each of us children were able to pursue post secondary education and land good jobs: two of my siblings as teachers, a sister in secretarial work, and I as a nurse. In time we married and had our own families. Our children have also been able to realize their God-given dreams: some as doctors, teachers, missionaries and proud parents.
“Would your children have done as well had you stayed in Germany?” my aunt wondered. I don’t think so. Canada is indeed the land of opportunity.
But the greatest blessing of all is the fact that in Canada we enjoy religious freedom. In Ukraine under communism my parents and grandparents attended secretive meetings in a barn. To own a Bible or to go to church was a crime punishable by death or deportation to Siberia. But here in Canada we can still worship freely in whatever church we please.
And that is why when I see a Canadian Maple Leaf unfurled in the wind or hear the majestic sound of our Canadian anthem, my heart swells within me and tears come to my eyes. I’m eternally grateful for being able to call Canada my home.
And yes, I do have everything I need to be truly happy.
On this Canada Day let us thank God for our country and spend some time in prayer for our leaders using the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
NB: To buy a copy of Lead, Kindly Light, our family’s story, go to my web page: www.helenlescheid.com
Questions: Today, let’s take the time to thank God for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us.
About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Fellowship with God, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: canada, children, communism, debts, doctors, farmhand, gratitude, Helen Grace Lescheid, improve, jobs, maid, missionaries, Mortgage, nurse, post secondary education, Siberia, teachers, telemarketer, Ukraine, war widow
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Thanks again for your reminder of how priviledged we are to live in the freedome of Canada. We have a heritage of our homeland on earth and the promise of one in heaven. Happy Canada Day!!!! Linda
I would like to say thank you on behalf of the USA. It is a comforting reminder to know that our neighbors to the north share in the religious freedoms that can easily be taken for granted. How great to remember we have family in Jesus all over this world. Have a blessed day.
What a beautiful piece. Yes, we certainly should be very glad to live in Canada. Something we should never take for granted. Thank you , Helen for such a heart warming devotion today.
Helen thank you for the Encouraging Devotion! I too am very thank for having the privilege to be a Canadian. I am so thankful for our religious freedoms and to think we can read God’s Word anytime, anywhere. Also for the privilege of being able to openly share God’s Word on a devotional Site like this! V. Mayfield you are so right on when you say How great to remember we have family in Jesus all over this world! Hugs Linda!!!
Also to the Devotional Site It Is Great To See The Notify Me Back Up and Working! Thanks For Fixing It & For This Site! God Bless Each and Everyone Of You! Happy Canada Day To You And All The Canadian Readers!!!
As an American, I am so thankful that I was born in a part of the country that allows freedom. Religious freedom, freedom to be who God created us to be. God Bless Amercia and Canada. Thanks for that reminder
i too have everyt hing i need to be happy
Happy Canada Day, dear sisters! We Americans join you in celebrating religious freedom, and lift up our brothers and sisters across the globe, who do not know such privileges!
Helen, thank you for the devotional. Yes, Canada has celebrated it’s 142nd birthday. I am thankful of many things in my life beginning with Jesus Christ.