If you are worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings.
- From Count Your Blessings
Any of us who grew up in the 1940s, 50s and even early 60s should remember this song. It was made popular by one of the all time great "crooners" Bing Crosby, who was in his prime back then. He sang so effortlessly and so naturally that you knew that's what he was made to do. I especially remember his rendition of it around Christmastime when the reruns of the movie White Christmas play on TV. I still enjoy the music and the simpler, always well ending, message of the movies back then.
But I think the message of that song and the words above have a special need for remembrance today. In many ways we Americans have lost our moral compass and our soul. Everything seems to be about "me" and "stuff" and how to amass it. And is it any wonder, the TV advertising jumps out from the screen working every angle to make you want something.
It works particularly well on children, creating wants that might not even be realistic and driving them to nag their parents until often we just give in and give them something that they really didn't need and maybe we couldn't afford. But that has been the way of America as consumerism ramped up dramatically with easy credit and no down payment and it has gotten us in a jam. For most Americans today are in "hock" heavily and we also have a government that is even in worse financial shape. So what are we going to do?
Well, maybe paying a little bit of attention to those words and taking them to heart might help. Why not try counting your blessings instead of getting more and more "stuff" that we probably don't need, can't afford and will use up and become bored with fast.
It's kind of like the young child opening Christmas packages. The parents beam as little Johnny opens the beautiful, well wrapped presents like a whirling dervish and in the end seems just as happy playing in the boxes and wrappings that are scattered about the room or with an old toy instead. Maybe, just maybe, we should take a hint from that and reexamine our actions.
Think about it, folks. Take a little time and pray on it. You'll find that you have many blessings that you take for granted and that they are likely much more valuable than what you think you want. At least it will help you temper things so that you can live within your means which, in the end, will lead to a much happier life. And your children will learn that life has limits, it isn't all about them and that if you want something bad enough you'll work for it. That's a lesson we all need today.
God bless you all and have a great day. After all, God is with you wherever you go. Just call on Him when you need to and He'll be there.
- From Count Your Blessings
Any of us who grew up in the 1940s, 50s and even early 60s should remember this song. It was made popular by one of the all time great "crooners" Bing Crosby, who was in his prime back then. He sang so effortlessly and so naturally that you knew that's what he was made to do. I especially remember his rendition of it around Christmastime when the reruns of the movie White Christmas play on TV. I still enjoy the music and the simpler, always well ending, message of the movies back then.
But I think the message of that song and the words above have a special need for remembrance today. In many ways we Americans have lost our moral compass and our soul. Everything seems to be about "me" and "stuff" and how to amass it. And is it any wonder, the TV advertising jumps out from the screen working every angle to make you want something.
It works particularly well on children, creating wants that might not even be realistic and driving them to nag their parents until often we just give in and give them something that they really didn't need and maybe we couldn't afford. But that has been the way of America as consumerism ramped up dramatically with easy credit and no down payment and it has gotten us in a jam. For most Americans today are in "hock" heavily and we also have a government that is even in worse financial shape. So what are we going to do?
Well, maybe paying a little bit of attention to those words and taking them to heart might help. Why not try counting your blessings instead of getting more and more "stuff" that we probably don't need, can't afford and will use up and become bored with fast.
It's kind of like the young child opening Christmas packages. The parents beam as little Johnny opens the beautiful, well wrapped presents like a whirling dervish and in the end seems just as happy playing in the boxes and wrappings that are scattered about the room or with an old toy instead. Maybe, just maybe, we should take a hint from that and reexamine our actions.
Think about it, folks. Take a little time and pray on it. You'll find that you have many blessings that you take for granted and that they are likely much more valuable than what you think you want. At least it will help you temper things so that you can live within your means which, in the end, will lead to a much happier life. And your children will learn that life has limits, it isn't all about them and that if you want something bad enough you'll work for it. That's a lesson we all need today.
God bless you all and have a great day. After all, God is with you wherever you go. Just call on Him when you need to and He'll be there.
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