Sometimes we can feel overburdened by the concerns and worries that flood our hearts. It is easy to get lost in those worries, blinded by fear and anxieties. But I want you to open your eyes to the world around you. Look past the darkness of the present moment into the light that has shone on you throughout your life and will continue to shine when the the dark moments end. Look at your life and start to count the ways in which you have been blessed. Don’t focus on the trials and the tribulations of what was or what might yet be because we spend enough of our lives doing that.

God gives us so much each and every day, that if we write down every blessing, our arms would get tired. Yes it is hard to see sometimes, but the blessings are there and God pours them out in abundance.

So how do we respond? We sell to mirror that generosity. In a world of darkness, we bring the light that God gifts us with and let it shine. We give back to God and creation a portion of the bounty that we have enjoyed because in doing so we become God’s blessing to others.

Let us change our perspective and count our blessings and not our brokenness. Let us share of our time, talent, and treasure as we respond to God’s great love with more love.

Let us pray.

Psalm 116:12-16

What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid. You have loosed my bonds.

Help us to be a blessing today, O God.
For all that we have been given in our lives, this world, and our relationships with one another, we give you thanks, and call on you to help us share of ourselves.

Help us to be a light in the darkness of the world troubles, O God.
For the moments that we felt lost and alone, surrounded on all sides, moments where your light burst forth to show us the way to life and hope, we give you thanks and call on you to help us share that light with the world.

Help us to be a blessing today, O God. AMEN

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Richard Bowley