"Where I just speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5
As we come to the close of this year, we often face a mix of emotions—joy, reflection, and even sadness. For many, the post-holiday season brings a unique kind of melancholy. The celebration of Christmas passes so quickly, and as we take down the decorations, lights, and other festive symbols, we transition to the new year. This process can feel both cathartic and sobering.
Studies have shown that the weeks following Christmas, particularly the first two weeks of January, are some of the most challenging for mental health. January 9th has even been identified as the most depressing day of the year due to factors like financial stress, the return to work, and the dreary winter season. The effort to dismantle the holiday cheer we so enthusiastically assembled weeks prior can feel daunting.
However, I recently read an inspiring story about a woman who approaches this time with intentionality and prayer. When she takes down her nativity scene, she prays over each piece. As she removes the shepherds, she asks God to make her a leader and nurturer like them. When she takes down the wise men, she prays for wisdom and the ability to follow God's call. Each piece—Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus—becomes a source of inspiration and hope for the year ahead. This practice transforms the sadness of packing away Christmas into a reflective and hopeful experience.
Counting our blessings is another way to combat post-holiday stress. In Psalm 40:5, the psalmist declares the innumerable wonders of God. Similarly, we are surrounded by blessings too vast to quantify. Even in the mundane acts of counting, like minutes before a meeting or items on a to-do list, there is an opportunity to recognize God's goodness.
Children remind us of this truth. My grandson, when learning to count, began tallying the overlooked—leaves on a plant, the number of his toys, or even breaths. His innocent curiosity prompted me to reflect on the countless blessings I often take for granted. During the pandemic, a family member recovering from COVID-19 expressed newfound gratitude for something as simple as each breath. On average, we take 20,000 to 25,000 breaths a day, each one a miracle we seldom acknowledge.
Our bodies are intricate masterpieces of God's creation. With over 60,000 miles of blood vessels, each heartbeat, each cell, and every complex function testifies to God's design. Beyond the physical, we are gifted with a soul and spirit. Unlike animals or plants, we have the capacity for discernment and eternal connection with our Creator. These gifts—life itself, relationships, and the ability to reflect—are blessings worth counting.
Even the people in our lives, whether we like them or not, are blessings. They shape us and give our lives depth and meaning. We must learn to see others not as obligations but as gifts from God.
In James 1:17, we are reminded that every good and perfect gift comes from above. When we compare ourselves to others, we risk overlooking what God has uniquely provided for us. Instead, we should thank Him for what we have. A rich man in an ancient story was told by someone to stop thanking God. He could not imagine stopping his gratitude toward God, even if does not receive blessings. Conversely, a poor man who refused to thank God remained in want. Gratitude is the seed of abundance.
Blessings, however, are not meant to be hoarded. They are given to be shared. Like a candle lighting another, sharing our blessings only multiplies their impact. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:8, "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
If you are struggling to find blessings to count, consider these:
If you woke up this morning with your health, you are more blessed than the six million people who will not survive this week.
If you have food, clothing, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.
If you have never experienced the horrors of war or imprisonment, you are ahead of 500 million people.
If you can worship freely, you are more fortunate than three billion people who cannot.
So as we approach the new year, let us learn to count. Let us count our blessings, no matter how small they may seem. Gratitude shifts our perspective and opens the door to recognizing God’s abundant grace in our lives. May we start this new chapter with hearts full of thanksgiving, ready to share our blessings with the world.
Amen.
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