When my grandkids were younger and they came to visit, after they left their handprints would be all over my glass front door and patio door! (BTW I’m a clean freak) But God showed me something from these precious handprints and fingerprints…. They were a blessing! So I would leave them for a few days just so I could remember how much they bless my life and how much I love them💕💕
Have you ever had a situation that allowed you to look at it as either a blessing or curse?
As I prepared to write this blog I began to pray, read other blogs and even listen to podcasts. But my thoughts were racing in every direction. Finally, I sat down and had a talk with The Lord and during that time the hymn, “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman, Jr. came to my mind. Needless to say, it’s been a long, long time since I have heard or thought about that hymn.
God began to reveal to me that a heart of thanksgiving grows from us counting our blessings in all circumstances.
A thankful heart can change your entire perspective and outlook on life. One of the best ways to experience the power of thanksgiving is through prayer and counting your blessings. Even when the going gets tough (or your glass doors are covered with handprints) you can experience blessings. When we offer a prayer of thanks to God, our focus shifts from our problems to our blessings. And that’s the beauty of faith – we can experience gratitude and give thanks despite the circumstances and storms that surround us.
So here’s the question…
How do we learn to have a heart of thanksgiving?
Count your blessings!!
Like the hymn says:
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
So when I count my blessings and see what God has done in my life…I have a heart of thanksgiving.
I want to share a few of my blessings :
#10 Sunrises and sunsets at the farm.
There’s just something majestic about seeing a sunrise from your front porch with coffee in hand. And walking my fur baby, Nala in the evening and watching the sun race down and light up the sky… Thank you Jesus!
#9 Our farm!
Larry farms land that his great grandfather homesteaded in the late 1800’s. Lots of blood, sweat and tears have gone into The Lutrick Farms. And with the drought that has affected us the last 3 years, we still look at our farm and life as a blessing from The Lord! Thank you, Jesus, for always meeting our needs.
#8 My health.
As I get older, I count it a blessing that I feel good and have no major health issues. I may be a little slower getting up from the floor while playing with my grandbabies BUT I get up! Thank you, Jesus!
#7 A good cup of coffee!
I’m kinda a coffee snob; I like my flavored coffee … just black!! It’s a simple blessing but one of my favorite things is to wake up and have my coffee. I even love a good cup of coffee after dinner! Right now, I’m loving my Pumpkin Spice, Dark Chocolate Hazelnut and Wild Blueberry …just to name a few!
#6 My front porch!
It’s one of my favorite places to hang out unless it’s extremely hot or windy! Sitting on the porch you can see as far as the eye can see- It’s full of wildflowers, butterflies, hummingbirds (sometimes), and in the evening you can see stars, moon, planets and even the Lubbock lights. Country living at its best!
#5 My life group.
Our Life Group is full of loving people, caring people, funniest story tellers, best cooks, prayer warriors and they all have a heart for The Lord! I’m blessed by each member.
“A friend loves at all times” Proverbs 17:17
#4 My Church.
My blessings are overflowing from the people in my church. I’m blessed to serve others, pray for others, be loved by others, hear God’s word and get the best hugs at my church!!
HCF- Love Jesus- Love People!
#3 My grandkids and family!
I’ve written about it before, in a past blog “This is my circus and these are my monkeys” and I wouldn’t have it any other way!! 8 out of my 9 grandchildren live close by and I see them as much as possible and can watch them grow up. My three kids love Jesus and have been blessed with wonderful spouses. And most of my extended family live nearby, so we get to see each other often! I’m truly blessed with a wonderful family.
#2 My husband. Larry is my best friend, he loves Jesus, he works hard, he’s a gentle giant with the grandkids, and loves me unconditionally even when I have crazy ideas. I count Larry as one of my best blessings because God put two imperfect people together, drew us closer to Him and now through the power and authority of Jesus Christ- our lives are transformed and His forever. I love doing life with Grumpy!
#1 My Jesus!
God rescued me and transformed my heart, mind and actions. He has become my “go to” person when I have any questions, struggles, fears, prayer needs or just need to bounce off my crazy ideas. He truly is my friend, my rescuer, my healer, my Lord and Savior.
So as I count my blessings and see what the Lord has done in me and for me my only response is a heart of thanksgiving. I read that Satan is defeated when we have a thankful heart because thankfulness during difficulty is a sacrifice pleasing to God. So when the going gets tough… count your blessings and build a heart of thanksgiving.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. –
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Guy Penrod (Gaither Vocal Band) singing Count Your Blessings!
We want to thank Bambi Lutrick for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 