my operating table

While reading through Genesis, I stumbled upon a real gem. In a story I’ve read numerous times, one of lies and deceit and love and marriage and children, I found hope. It’s a story of brothers, and not one, but two families struggling with jealous siblings. It’s about Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel. There are ups and downs in the story. There are things we can learn from Jacob by example, and there are things we can learn because of how terribly he messed up. 

Instead of focusing on the negative, though, I want to focus on a profound statement Jacob made:

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant” - Genesis 32:10

Incredible, huh? Jacob realizes that, regardless of all of the things he’s done in his life, God has blessed him beyond measure. How often do we sit and reflect on the mercies that God has bestowed upon us? I know that I don’t take enough time out of my day to day life to focus on what truly matters: my God. 

I am blessed beyond measure. I have an incredible, God-serving husband. I have a wonderful, supportive family. I worship with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I have a job. I have a place to live. I have food and clothing and tons of other things that are just extras. I know that all of those things came from God. And you know what else I recognize? Even the not-so-great things that come up in my life, God uses those for good, too. 

I want to end by sharing a song that I love so very much. Here are the power-packed lyrics:

You might go through hard times, when you fall into despair
Remember you’re surrounded by His blessings everywhere
It’s in a neighbors helping hand, or in the sunshine of a smile
One blessing leads to one more, you’ll be counting for a while
It’s best to look at what you have, forget what you have not
And just learn a lesson from ole Job and give thanks for what you got

Give thanks today. For all of the blessings in your life, and all of the things that don’t really seem like blessings right now. Because I promise you, God can use them for good.