There's an old gospel song that was made popular by Vestal Goodman but I learned it from hearing one of our members (Maybelle Bennett), sing it years ago.
 
It's entitled, "Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessings on Me."
The chorus says:
"There's a roof up above me,
I've a good place to sleep, 
There's food on my table,
And shoes on my feet.
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family.
Thank you Lord
For your blessings on me."
 
Simple yet meaningful. We are truly blessed. I can choose to dwell on my failures, trials and deep losses. I can dwell on the disappointments in this life. I can nurse the "old wounds" of those who have hurt me and forsaken me. If I do any ot those, it is my loss. 
 
If I adopt Paul's mindset in I Timothy 6:7-8 of being content with food and clothing,  I will lead a more satisfied life. Gratitude and contentment are close cousins. They tend to go together. 
 
When I truly understand what grace is and how God has poured it out over my life then I realize that I don't deserve anything. Every blessing is a gift from above (James 1:17). The gift of knowing God's Son and obtaining eternal life is the greatest gift of all (Romans 6:23) . When we truly comprehend the meaning of grace, we find that it is still is AMAZING!

As our family is transitioning into a new season of life, I think back to those days in January 2007 when we moved to Exmore with two children and an aquarium of goldfish. (We must have looked like the Beverly Hillbillies.) In the last 19.5 years, there have been great challenges and trials. Many of you saw us at our lowest and stood beside us and prayed with us. Through it all, we've learned the power of faith and prayer. We've seen the faithful hand of God and we can truly say, "Thank You, Lord for your blessings on me."

                                                                                                                                                                        -Pastor Carpenter