For January 7, 2013

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:2-4

God first put it upon my heart that I needed to be more grateful years ago when my son was in preschool. The school he attended had a chapel service each day before classes began, and parents were welcomed and encouraged to attend whenever they could. On one of the mornings that I was blessed to be able to go sit with Andy during chapel, the message revolved around a children’s book written by Debby Boone, titled “Counting Blessings” (1998). I was so inspired by the author’s simple message and simple application for that message that I bought the book and read it with our family that Thanksgiving. It became a family tradition to read that book every year around the “grateful” holiday while our kids were young and the message it sends has gone beyond just the annual reading. Boone encourages the reader to start counting blessings. It begins, “I’m Happy. Do you know why? I’ve discovered the secret of happiness. Do you want me to tell you? Counting blessings. No kidding. Every day. Anywhere. All the time.”

Could it be that simple? That’s how we find happiness? Guess what, it is that simple! For me, what began with a children’s story has evolved over the years into a quest for counting all the ways I am blessed. When I try this simple act of counting, I feel like it makes God smile and it makes a difference in my heart. The act of counting blessings. My secret to happiness and living in God’s Kingdom now.

Jane Newman