Counting My Blessings
Written by Lydia E. Harris
During November, our family often made an acrostic using the word thanksgiving. We’d list things we were thankful for, using words beginning with each letter. When our children became teenagers, words like telephone, summer, and ice cream topped the list. Now with grown children, I exchange a thanksgiving list with my pen pal each year.
But thanksgiving shouldn’t be limited to a season or holiday. God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). Since a thankful heart should be the year-round norm, I’ve used the word thanksliving in this acrostic to share some things I’m thankful for.
- T
= Talents
I’m thankful for my God-given talents. If I develop them and use them for God’s glory, one day I’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).
- H = Hope
I’m thankful for the hope I have in Christ and the Holy Spirit who spreads hope in my heart. Since I know the God of hope, I can point others to Him, no matter how bleak their circumstances. I often pray Romans 15:13 for others: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).
- A = Acceptance
Acceptance is a basic human need. As a writer, I’m thankful when editors accept my writing. However, I’m especially grateful that God always accepts me; my worth before Him is not based on my performance or success.
- N = News
Although world events may be discouraging, I’m thankful we can always find good news in God’s Word.
- K = Kindness
I’m thankful for the many family and friends who express kindness to me in tangible ways. In turn, I want to express caring toward others.
- S = Senses
My five senses help me experience life more fully. Beyond my physical senses, I’m thankful to spiritually “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
- L = Life
Life is precious and should never be taken for granted. I’m thankful for each new day.
- I = Intelligence
I’m thankful for my intellect which helps me think clearly and make wise decisions.
- V = Vision
I appreciate physical vision to enjoy my surroundings and spiritual vision to understand spiritual truths.
- I = Imagination
Imagination helps me think creatively. As I pray and seek God, He enables me to imagine no limits and to expect him to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians. 3:20 NIV).
- N = New Experiences
I’m thankful for new opportunities to grow and for new relationships that enrich my life.
- G = God
God is the greatest treasure and reason to give thanks. I’m most grateful to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Listing what I’m thankful for always lifts my spirit. Besides that, the Bible says God is pleased with a thankful heart: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me” (Psalm 50:23 NASB).
Why not make your own thanksliving list? After we thank God for our blessings, we can serve Him from the overflow of our grateful hearts.
