A couple of weeks ago, I went away on a four-day silent retreat. It was difficult to be away from family, friends, and all forms of communication for that long, but it was an amazing blessing. Out of that experience, I learned how much more grateful I needed to be for all God has given me.

Psalm 89 reminded me that all that I am, all that I possess, and all that is to come are reasons to rejoice in thanksgiving. Our culture tells us that whatever we have is never going to be enough. That when we lack “things,” then we lack achievement or success. We need to drive this, live here, wear this designer,
or associate in these social circles. None of that is true though. It’s a disguise, a fantasy, a lie. It’s
the devil’s way of distracting us. It’s his way of making us feel like we’ll never be “good enough”
unless … BUT being good enough never comes, and we live in a society full of unsatisfied consumers.

The fact is that we will never be “good enough”; at least not on our own. “By God’s grace through
faith” changes things considerably I believe. We are God’s children, made precious by his hands,
and can be remade, remolded and redeemed to be right in his sight. There is no lack or shortage
of love in God, as evidenced in Jesus his only son, who came, lived, died and was raised from
the dead as we could have life everlasting.

Now that’s something to be thankful for! Count your blessings
… literally. Focus on how you’re loved, not what you think you lack. In the end, you’ll be grateful that you did.

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@
gmail.com.