Truly I am Blessed

I came across a post on Facebook that caused me to pause and reflect on just how truly blessed I am. It looked something like this, which is a modification of post put out by the Canadian Red Cross.

You can read…
… so you are more fortunate than over one billion people who cannot read at all.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…
… then you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation…
… then you are more fortunate than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep…
… then you are richer than 75 percent of the people in this world.

If you have money in the bank and in your wallet, plus spare change in a dish someplace…
… then you are among the top eight percent of the world’s wealthy.

This is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Here at ICSV, we have so much to be thankful for. It is so easy for us to grumble, especially right now with the new lockdown and the closing of stores and markets right before Christmas. We are tired of wearing masks and testing three times a week. We can wallow in our ingratitude, or we can be thankful for the many blessings that God has given to us. To rephrase the piece by the Canadian Red Cross:

I can read! I have been blessed with a good education. I can send my children to a school where they are loved and valued. Truly, I am blessed.

I am healthy! I may have a headache or a runny nose, but I am strong and able to get up and come to school. I can go to the doctor when I need to. I can buy medicine if I need it. Truly, I am blessed.

I am safe! I live in a country that protects its citizens. My parents love me, and I get along with my siblings. I am not persecuted for being a Christian. I have never been tortured or put into jail. Truly, I am blessed.

I have my needs met! I have food and clothes and a home and a warm bed. I have friends to enjoy and a good mind to think. Truly, I am blessed.

I have money for my needs and my wants! I have enough money to pay my rent, put food on the table, and buy clothes. I even have money to travel to new places and to buy things that bring me pleasure. Truly, I am blessed.

And even more than these physical things, I have been given the free gift of salvation because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, my Lord. I did not deserve it, and yet God poured out His love to us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) During this week of Thanksgiving, I ask us all to focus on just how much we have been given so that we can ensure that our attitude is one of gratitude. Let us say together as a community: Truly, we are blessed!

Because of His Faithfulness,
Dr. Sharon Brobst, Director

Modified from “Breaking the Poverty Disease Cycle” by the Canadian Red Cross.