“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 everything, 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 ( NIV )

Rejoice and be thankful – what wonderful words.

Are we truly thankful in all circumstances? When I rise each morning, am I thankful that I am healthy enough to rise? When I am frustrated with my job because it is difficult and challenging, am I thankful I have a job? Am I thankful for rewarding work to do?

When my children who are twenty-something drive me crazy criticizing me, am I thankful that God saw fit to allow me to raise children? When I pay the tuition bill, am I thankful that my children are healthy and smart enough to be in college?

When the electricity goes out, am I thankful that God created mankind with the intelligence to devise such wonderful things from the earth? When the plumber needs to come, am I thankful for the inventions of running water and flush toilets?

When I read my Bible, am I thankful that God allowed His word to be written down so we could know him better? Am I truly thankful to God that He let his son live so that we might have an example to follow? Am I truly thankful for the death of that Son so that my sin might be forgiven? Enough to forgive others? Am I thankful that God's Son rose from the dead, so that I might have eternal life? Count your blessings.

SUSAN KINDT