My life has been very challenging for the past several years. This has affected me in a way that is hard to describe. Although I have been trusting God and surrendering to his desire for me to pursue ministry, I have also begun to labor under a vague gloom, expecting hard battles and noticing every difficulty.
I was reading for a class assignment when I came across these words from George Buttrick: "We need to deliberately call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day . . . thanksgiving should be quite specific." Buttrick diagnosed me. My awareness of burdens had overwhelmed my awareness of blessings. By being generally thankful for everything, I had become thankful for nothing.
For a remedy, I selected some simple exercises of remembrance and thanksgiving:
1. ten minutes of praise in my daily devotional time;
2. a list of a hundred specific blessings I am experiencing now;
3. two hours of remembrance and thanksgiving on Sundays.
I've been doing these exercises for four weeks. During my daily devotional time, I listen to and sing songs and write my thanksgiving to God. As I go through the day, I think of things to add to my growing list of blessings at suppertime. (The list has now grown to 125.) On Sundays, I spend two hours remembering what God has done in my life, being aware of his presence, talking to him, and offering a special thanksgiving offering.
This has been a good change for me. Without realizing it, I had gradually drifted into a devotional pattern devoid of praise to God. Joylessness was the result.
Now, I am noticing the way God's lovingkindness surrounds me: small touches, daily beauties, tender gifts, eternal blessings. I had forgotten how much I have been given. I had forgotten about delighting in the Lord. Now my remembrance ushers in praise and joy each day, and I find that the "joy of the Lord" brings fresh strength to me (Psalm 28:7).
How do you remember your blessings?
Photograph, goldenrod on the summit of Looking Glass Rock, Pisgah National Forest, copyright 2012 by Cassandra Frear.
7 comments:
Dangit, you're person No. 4 to recommend counting blessings, just in the last week. I'm in!
I love this Cassandra, and you are so right, Even a general attitude of thanksgiving can after awhile, be devoid of meaning and hollow. Being intentional about our praise highlights each one and lifts it up as a beautiful offering! Bless you.
This phrase from that quote stands out: "...joys of our journey."
Joys everywhere, but so easily passed over. I hope you find them all over the place, even in the gloom, as you continue this habit of counting, praising, transforming!
I can totally relate, as I have been going through the same journey this past year after suffering some losses and numerous health issues. I like what you are doing to overcome and to bring joy back into your spiritual life. I find the closer I stay connected with God through prayer, praises and thanksgiving--the better I feel about situations for which I have no control.
I definitely needed to read this tonight. Thank you for sharing here.
You have prodded me into going back to my gratitude journal, after backsliding for about 3 months. Thank you for being a blessing to others Cassandra.
Yay, Cassandra's back! Your voice has been missed.
Intentionality in "seeing" blessings works like a medicine on me. When I get away from it, I feel it.
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