Are you thankful?
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1-4).
There is a wonderful and popular hymn, “Count Your Many Blessings.” It is a very encouraging song that should humble us as we count our blessings and thank God for them all. It is a song that is intended to not only give praise to God, the source of every blessing, but also to lift our hearts beyond the troubles and trials of this life. The song begins, “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 hath done.”
Verse 2 asks, “Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.”
Do you have blessings to count? You know you do! Do you have shelter from the winds of the coming winter? Clothes to wear? Food to eat? It may not be a mansion, the latest fashions or prime rib every day, but you have those things whether humble or extravagant. You have blessings to count.
Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. (Psalm 28:6-7).
I found the following instructions that an elderly woman in Eastern Kentucky wrote telling a young woman how to do laundry in the early 20th century.
How to Wash Clothes
- Build a fire in the back yard to heat a kettle of rainwater
- Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert
- Shave one whole cake of soap in boiling water
- Sort things. Make three piles. 1 pile white. 1 pile colored. 1 pile work britches & rags
- Stir flour in cold water to smooth then thin down with boiling water
- Rub dirty spots on board. Scrub hard, then boil; rub colored pile, but don’t boil – just rinse & starch
- Spread tea towels on grass
- Hang old rags on fence
- Pour rinse water in flower bed
- Scrub porch with hot soapy water
- Turn tubs upside down
- Go put on a clean dress – smooth hair with side combs – brew a cup of tea – and sit & rest & rock a spell & count your blessings.
I suspect if I had to wash clothes that way I’d be going around in filthy tattered clothes. I have an automatic washing machine in a heated and cooled laundry room. I can get by not washing too often because I have multiple changes of clothing, not to mention shoes.
Count your many blessings … how can our tongues contain our thanks!
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12).
Write or call and let us know what you think. Would you like more information about the church found in the New Testament? I would love to accommodate your request. Do you have questions or disagreements? I will be happy to study God’s Word with you and help you find the “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
I hope you will accept our offer to visit and investigate. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd. in Noblesville. Our phone number is (317) 219-5852. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!