Count Your Blessings

I was completing my master’s degree in the United Kingdom. I was homesick, mostly because I missed my only child. In an effort to relieve my distress, I spoke of him whenever possible.

 While speaking to one of my colleagues during a diabetic clinic, I emphasized how much I enjoyed raising my son and proceeded to lament the fact that I had only one child. My colleague was quiet for a moment then told me of how long he and his wife had tried to have a child, and how difficult it had been to accept that it was medically impossible. I apologized.

 The next day I was asked by another colleague about my children at home and how I was coping. I responded that I missed my son dearly. She then asked if I only had “just the one.” I was quick to answer that although I had tried to have a pair of children, I had only managed to have one living child. I told her of my medical condition, which had affected my childbearing ability and how sad this had made me. I was startled by her calm response. She said, “You’re lucky; I couldn’t have any.” I almost bowed my head in shame. Again, I apologized for being insensitive.

 I left the hospital that day feeling very cruel and ungrateful. In two days, I had met two people with no children—two people, however, who were still cheerful. I thought of how I must have hurt God by constantly lamenting the fact that I had only one child. I had been so selfish and ungrateful.

 I thought of how much better it would be to constantly thank Him for a normal, healthy child, indeed a gift from God. Although I was away from home, God had taught me a valuable lesson in gratefulness.

 How often do we complain about what God does or doesn’t give to us? Yet there are others around us who have so much less. They continue to be blessings to others anyway and do not cease to smile.

 Today let us take the time to thank God for our many blessings. Indeed, He has done great things!

 Shana Cyr-Philbert