I would like to remind you of story I shared several years ago about a missionary held hostage in a foreign land and imprisoned under miserable conditions for 16 months for trying to spread the Gospel of Christ. In his first interview after his release, he was asked how he spent his time and how he dealt with boredom and despair. His answer stunned the reporters. 

He simply said, “Counting my blessings.”

“Blessings?” they responded.

“Yes,” he explained. “Some days I got to take a shower. Sometimes there were some vegetables in my food. And I could always be thankful for the love of my family.”

It is easy to understand why the reporters were surprised by his answer. It is hard for us to constantly be thankful for the little things we have been given. We get caught up in this demanding material world and forget about the common, everyday blessings that make life pleasant and comfortable. 

When is the last time you thanked God for the roof over your head or the fact that you were able to take a shower this morning? On top of all of these daily blessings, God gave us His Son so that we might one day be saved. I think if we will take the time and look at the blessings surrounding us, we can all come to the conclusion that this morning really is a good morning.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9