remember to Count your blessings

I'm sitting in my church office in late May. Traffic is light on 441. The church lawn is green and freshly mowed. Lancaster County farmland is to my left. To my right, looking out my office window, I can see the Marietta cemetery. I changed the church paraments from red to green this morning, signaling the movement to ordinary time. The building is quiet.

I loved coming to my office at my previous congregation early on Saturday mornings. When I left my home, none of my neighbors were even out of bed. Arriving at my office, I could expect to have several hours of uninterrupted time. It was a blessing for me in a busy congregation and ministry.

Time is a blessing. I know, when my dad died, he would have liked more time. He didn't fear death, he just loved life. Sometimes we confuse the two notions. There is much in life to fear. There is much in life to regret. But, there is much in life to love. 

Today is my marriage anniversary. Cathy and I were married at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Lancaster on May 28, 1983. Our life together, while not absent of the typical growing pains and expected bumps in the road, is a confirmation of God's blessings. Children, grandchildren, extended family, wonderful friends including all the church family we've come to know are at the top of the list.

And, they are reason enough to remember the old adage to "count your blessings." Yes, there are plenty of things to worry about in the world. But, our blessings are even more abundant.

When our children went off to college, I reminded them repeatedly to remember "who and whose they are." I'll remind you of the same. Take some time to count your blessings. Entrust the worries to God. God's got this! And, God holds you in the palm of God's hand!

Blessings!

Pastor Geib