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Posting our Blessings

If you were come to our church building right now, you would see that the windows are covered with hundreds of fluorescent orange, green and pink “post-it notes”. Each note contains a word or two that describes something for which someone in the congregation is thankful. This began as an exercise for the teen class, but adults got in on it too. While the notes have only been up for a day, they are having an impact. In fact, every time that I have walked by them today, I have smiled. They are bright, colourful reminders that we have been blessed in many ways, both large and small.

Maybe it is just human nature, but it seems that we constantly need to be reminded to focus on the “good” and not just on the things that are wrong or need improvement. It seems that many people (including me) are like toy boats that a child has filled with water. The boat does not sink to the bottom of the lake, but neither does it float. Instead, it sort of wallows just below the surface. When our lives start to “take on water” in the forms of trouble, worry and fretting, it is easy to wallow. It is easy to get stuck. What we need is a way to get back to “floating”.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6).

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I have been through enough trouble in my life to know that writing your blessings on a piece of paper and sticking it to your wall will not fix things. However, I also know that focusing on your blessings can help to change your perspective. The note covered windows in our foyer have reminded me that, in spite of our troubles, we have many reasons to rejoice.

I imagine that you do too.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:16-17).

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