Simple blessings are right under our nose

Presnell Wood tells about a boy growing up in a simple cottage nestled on the side of a mountain. His family was poor, but they enjoyed a millionaire’s view of a wooded valley.

Across the valley was another mountainside with a house much more beautiful than his. With each passing year the boy found it more difficult to be grateful for his own house because this other house had golden windows. Every morning he looked out his own window in awe at that beautiful sight. He promised himself that someday he would leave his own ordinary house. His first visit would be across the valley and up the mountain to examine this house of beautiful golden windows.

Finally the day arrived for the journey. He left his own house behind and walked steadily all day. By midday he had crossed the valley. It was late afternoon when he finally approached his dream destination. Yet something wasn’t right.

Instead of a house with golden windows, he approached a cottage more ordinary than his own. Surely he had made a mistake.

Seeing a little girl playing in the yard of this ordinary house, he asked her, “Do you know where I can find the house of golden windows?”

“Yes, I do!” She pointed back across the valley which he had traveled to a house on a mountainside. Its windows at that moment were ablaze with the golden glory of a setting sun being reflected off of glass.

For a long time the lad stood there awestruck, taking in the sight. How could it be? Slowly the truth dawned on him. That was his house, and all along, his entire life, he had lived in a house of golden windows.

Isn’t it true that we often take for granted simple blessings that are right in front of our eyes?

As Eric Hoffer put it, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” Yet, the Bible says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thess. 5:18).

Thanksgiving reminds us to pause, reflect and list those simple blessings. Among the blessings for which I’m thankful are:

• Nearly 30 years of marriage to the same wonderful wife.

• Four beautiful children, a great son-in-law, and another sharp son-in-law on the way (May 15, 2010).

• Granny Chancey’s homemade from scratch brownies eaten hot, right out of the oven.

• Mom’s continued good health and her peanut butter cake (recipe passed through three generations).

• My wife’s potato rolls made on special occasions.

• The Braves’ solid starting pitching.

• We’re no longer talking about a water shortage.

• A job and a roof over my head.

• Faithful members who love the Lord and support their church.

• A decade of serving together as pastor and people.

• Surviving a head-first slide into second base, though the out-of-position ump called me out.

• Cars that are still going (two are approaching 300,000 miles).

• Receiving junk mail. At least they aren’t bills.

• Getting to run the Peachtree Road Race this year.

• The inspiration of the Christmas season.

• A good, hot Chick-fil-A sandwich, and never on Sunday.

• Visits with longtime friends I haven’t seen in years.

• Mexican food anytime.

• A great and mighty God who is the source of blessings big and small.

What’s on your list of simple blessings?

Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. Visit them on the web at www.mcdonoughroad.org.