“You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted” (Psalm 40:5)
The Psalmist recognizes the goodness and the generosity of God, whose deeds and thoughts are uncountable. Though that didn’t keep generations of Sunday School students from trying their very best to tally up God’s gifts. I am sure you can recall the tune.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
During these days after Thanksgiving, I have not counted God’s many blessings, but I have pondered a few of them. And in the pondering, I find that I am so very grateful.
I have pondered the blessing of Baptism, and the honor of officiating at Rome Josiah Nelson’s Baptism at Zion Lutheran Church in Waterville. Rome is the son of Josiah and Ellie and the grandson of Pastor Meg Boger.
I have pondered the blessing of Ecumenical Partnerships, and the honor of preaching and presiding at Pastor Mark Kuhlman’s recent Invitation to Extended Service. Pastor Mark is a United Methodist Pastor who is serving at Trilby United Methodist Church and at Messiah Lutheran Church in Point Place.
I have pondered the blessing of Global Connections, and the honor of worshipping with and learning from the people of God in the Iglesia Luterana Mexicana (Mexican Lutheran Church) this past week. Below is Pastor Ricardo Flores and his family at Gracia Iglesia Luterana. Along with Bishop Deborah Hutterer of the Grand Canyon Synod, Presidenté Roberto Trejo of the Iglesia Luterana Mexicana (Mexican Lutheran Church), and myself.
The psalmist is right. God’s blessings are too numerous to be counted. But they can be pondered. And in the pondering, we can give thanks.