Even in the season of Thanksgiving, we can forget precious blessings from God. This week, when I read an email from a friend, I realized my gratitude list needed work.
In the email, our friends, Chip and Susie, requested prayer and shared news of Will, their friend who’d been bedridden since January 2—for ten long months.
One illness had led to another until Will was too weak after hospitalization to make the required progress for admittance into rehab. He believed he’d never walk again.
Hannah, Will’s wife, cared for him the best she could and called for medical transport when appointments were necessary.
Sad to see his friend incapacitated, Chip prayed and studied YouTube videos. He then asked if he could try to help. First, he carefully lifted Will into a wheelchair and pushed him down the sidewalk to visit neighbors.
Hannah, his wife, stood on the grass and watched Will draw in deep breaths of fresh air and throw his head back to gaze into the sky. When she watched neighbors come outside to greet her husband and heard his laughter and lively conversation, joy tears trickled down her cheeks.
The blessings?
- Fresh air.
- A change of scenery—from four walls to the crimson reds, fiery oranges, and sunny yellows of fall
- The sound of birds chirping and a dog barking
- The welcoming smiles of friends and jovial laughter
I’m quite sure Will and Hannah thanked God for those blessings—the blessings we tend to forget.
Would you like to hear more good news? After continued prayer and study, Chip is helping Will learn to walk again.
Will takes small steps and only a few at a time, but with determination and the hope of acceptance into rehab, he believes he will walk again. As he makes painstaking progress, Hannah observes from across the room where she claps and smiles through teary eyes.
After reading Susie’s email, I walked outside and took deep breaths of crisp fall air, then I thanked God I could walk, breathe fresh air, and hear the crunch of fallen leaves under my feet.
I also thanked Him I could serve as the hands and feet of Jesus as Chip and Susie did.
During this season of Thanksgiving, my gratitude list will be a little longer. What about yours?
Let’s express our thanks to God through His Word for the blessings we remember and the ones we forget to notice.
Let’s express our thanks to God through His Word for the blessings we remember and the ones we forget to notice. Click To Tweet
Let’s thank Him and praise Him for who He is.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Psalm 95:1-3 NKJV
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
Let’s thank Him …
For His goodness and His mercy.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV
For this day He has made.
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV
For salvation in Christ, a free gift to all who surrender to Jesus Christ our Lord.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
Please tell us about a blessing you appreciate or a gratitude verse you enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends.
Such a sweet blessing you shared with us today Ms. Jeannie. Thank you so much ma’am. It’s so easy to forget that every day we awaken, that every breath we take, is a blessing from God. I pray He helps me to, like you, find His blessings in every moment. Happy Thanksgiving ma’am.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, J. D., and thank you for sharing the post. Although our hearts fill with gratitude to God, it’s easy to overlook the everyday blessings of life, isn’t it? God blesses us in countless ways.
Amen and amen, Jeannie. Thank you for sharing this poignant reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. God’s blessings to you!
God’s blessings to you, as well, Lori. It’s easy to forget those everyday blessings God provides. Thanks for your comment.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not ALL His benefits. Psalm 103:2 it’s easy to take such things for granted. I had a period of years when I could barely walk. I now remember daily, with gratitude, that I can get around again. God is good!
Annie, I’m sure you are thankful to be able to walk and share your blessings with others. Yes, indeed, God IS good, and it’s our honor to thank Him and praise Him as you do. I appreciate your comments.
What a wonderful testimony! A reminder of the difference someone can be by making himself available.
You’re right, Nancy. One person can make a huge difference in another person’s life. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder! I enjoyed reading this! Blessings to you and your family! Happy Thanksgiving!
Shirley, thanks so much for reading and commenting. Blessings to you and your family.
This story challenges me not only to be thankful, but to look for ways to show the love of God to those around me. Such a beautiful testimony.
Thanks for sharing that, Terri. The story did the same for me. I was happy my friend allowed me to share it.
This is a beautiful story of how we can be God’s hands and feet and so encouraging that Will is improving ! My gratitude list needs to be longer, too. Thank you for sharing this, Jeannie.
Thank you, Kathy. I found their story encouraging, too. We have so many opportunities to minister to others as God leads us.
What a beautiful and thought-provoking devotion. It is in the overlooked and sometimes seemingly “normal” things of life where we see God best! Am so blessed to read and enjoy your writing.
Evelyn, your words mean so much. Your statement is a good reminder. “It is in the overlooked and sometimes seemingly “normal” things of life where we see God best!” Thank you.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder of a few by of the things we take for granted on a daily basis. Isn’t God wonderful! So thankful He placed Will’s friend in his life for such a time as this.
Blessings to you!
Yes, God is wonderful, and He allows us to participate in His work by serving other people. I, too, take daily blessings for granted sometimes, Candyce, but the picture of Will breathing fresh air and greeting friends after being bedridden for months reminded me of many blessing. Thank you for commenting!
Such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Jen, for letting me know you enjoyed the story. When my friend shared it, I found it inspiring and encouraging. What an honor to brighten another person’s day and life we have when we follow the footsteps of Jesus.
I needed this message, Jeannie, and I’m sure there are others who also felt the nudge to turn away from sorrow and see the beauty and blessings of life. You have shared hope, joy and thanksgiving. Thank you.
Katherine, I’m thankful the story that encouraged me also brought a blessing to your heart. I’m grateful my friend allowed me to share it with all of you. Thank you so much for sharing.
I woke up this morning thankful I could see colors. Love your story and the good reminder to be filled with gratitude for everything. Lord, help me not to take Your goodnesses for granted! Thank you, Jeannie ~
Wendy, we don’t often think of being able to see color. Thanks for adding that blessing. And thank you for reading and commenting.
I love this! Thank you, Jeannie.
Your comment delighted me today, Kim. Thank you so very much for letting me know. The blessings just multiply when we stop to notice them, don’t they?