Altar Call – Opelika-Auburn News
Walter Albritton
November 24, 2019
Time to count your blessings again
When someone asks me how I am doing, I sometimes
reply, “I am blessed.” I picked that up from a good friend in Opelika. That was
his constant answer, even when he was suffering from the cancer that took his
life. He never complained or called attention to his pain. His simple response
was his way of staying focused on his blessings instead of discussing his
problems.
Thanksgiving Day reminds me once again that my friend
had it right. Focus on your blessings. Refrain from constantly seeking pity for
your troubles. Not because nobody wants to hear about them; true friends do
care. The key word is “constantly.” If you will share your difficulties with
only a few close friends, the rest of your time can be used to share hope and
joy with the people around you. The truth is, most of us enjoy being around
people who, despite their misfortunes, are positive and hopeful about the
future. That attitude springs from the conviction that your blessings are much
greater than your trials.
Many songs are stored in my memory bank but there is
none better to sing at Thanksgiving than the one composed by Johnson Oatman Jr. titled “Count Your Blessings.” If you want help
to overcome your burdens, then just start doing what Oatman
invites us to do in his song:
Count your many blessings – name
them one by one;
And it will surprise you what the
Lord hath done
Counting your blessings is a healthy exercise anytime
of the year but especially helpful during the Thanksgiving season. To focus on
your blessings will not make your problems go away but can enable you to walk
away from self-pity. Positive thinking helps you overcome the depression
brought on by your troubles. And that is good medicine for your soul.
When I begin counting my blessings I think of my
family, especially my wife Dean. We met in the first grade at age six. She
does not remember it but I am sure I overheard her tell the girl beside her, “I
am going to marry that boy one day!” Well, even if she did not say it, I am so
thankful that 14 years later she did walk down the aisle and become my wife. No
man has ever been married to a more supportive and loving woman than Dean has
been for me. Truth is, we had some rocky times but together we learned to “lean
on Jesus” and found the grace to repent, forgive and grow. Through 67 plus
years Dean has always been the strong one, weathering some storms that would
have wrecked weaker souls.
My four sons and their families are precious
blessings. In these sunset years, few things thrill me more than a phone call
from one of them. Their love and concern for their mother and me means the
world to us. We call their names in prayer during our morning devotions, asking
the Lord to guard and guide each one in the ways of the Lord. And talk about
joy! That’s what fills our hearts when one of our grandchildren calls to say,
“How you doing Grampa and Grandma?”
I am thankful for our church. The people of the Saint
James United Methodist Church have indulged my preaching for 16 years and only
a few have slept through my sermons. Of course, whenever I see someone sleeping
while I am preaching, I just assume they trust me and are not really bored.
Preaching for me remains a great privilege; it has never been drudgery or duty.
I don’t have to preach; I get to preach.
At Saint James Dean and I have shared a rich fellowship with some of the finest
disciples of Jesus I have ever known. They are our dear brothers and
sisters in Christ.
Our years at Saint James have been enriched by the
privilege of serving Christ there alongside our son Steve, his wife Amy, their
two sons Jake and Josh, and my brother Seth and his wife Pearl. Every pastor
needs a brother like Seth. His support and encouragement have touched me
deeply. After a worship service, when most of the people are walking out and
making their way to lunch, my brother Seth, who sings in our choir, will stay
long enough to hug me and say, “Good sermon brother!” What a brother! I reckon
you can imagine how much it blesses me to have my brother and his wife cheering
me on.
My list of blessings must include my two sisters, Neva
Williams and Margie Flomer. God has blessed us with
the precious gift of living in harmony with one another. I cherish our
relationship with them and their families and praise God for giving me two
sisters who love and serve the Lord. Together we often thank God for our sister
Laurida, who departed this life more than 20 years
ago, but left us with precious memories of the joy and courage that filled her
heart.
Thanksgiving Day we will share a meal at the old home
place where I was born. Steve and Amy live there now, having bought and
remodeled the place after my parents died. I count it a rare blessing to enjoy
a meal in the home where I grew up. For many years my parents hosted a
Thanksgiving Day meal for our family. Some of my dearest memories were made at
my mother’s table. In recent years Steve and Amy have hosted the Thanksgiving
Day gathering now attended by about 100 family and friends. We will sit around
many tables, talk of old times and lament the way things have changed. I am
thankful that Steve and Amy continue the tradition of gathering at Papa’s
place, now Steve’s place, for Thanksgiving.
The blessings I count are mostly
people, not things. So many people have made a difference in my life, like Sunday School teachers
and pastors who influenced my faith as a child, people who encouraged me to
believe that God had a plan for my life. Most of the good things I have
experienced happened because caring people took an interest in me and opened
doors of opportunity for me. Many of them are in heaven now and in a quiet
moment I can hear them still cheering for me.
My list of blessings has to include the men with whom
I share lunch almost every week. They are friends and fellow disciples of Jesus
whose encouragement and love I need. In addition, I must thank God for the men
and women who have met weekly in our home as a Life Group. Together we have
studied God’s Word, shared a simple meal, prayed and encouraged one another. We
have shared our struggles and, now and then, shed a few tears together. The
love and friendship we have shared is one of the greatest treasures of my
life.
As the season of Thanksgiving gives way to the
onrushing Christmas season, do take time to count your blessings. Tell friends
and family members how much you love them. Focus on your blessings. If the only
food in your refrigerator is one quart of milk, instead of complaining, thank
God the milk is not sour and think of someone you can share it with.
As you think of all God has done for you, remember
this: He is not done blessing you! Give Him a chance and He will give you more
blessings than you can count! And if you
really want to enjoy a great life, ignore your troubles and start sharing your
blessings with someone who has less than you do. + + +