We are blessed...

I was amazed at Walmart yesterday to see the large amount of fresh produce, bread, milk, meat, and so many other items that were available. Sure, some of these items were not the normal brands we may be used to purchasing. After all, I did have to buy a different brand of toilet paper... Charmin was what was available for us!! But it was obvious to me that we are not living in a famine by any stretch of the imagination.

Even with a pandemic, we are blessed!

There are many things we could complain about today.
We could complain about China.
We could complain about the President and Congress.
We could complain about people losing jobs.

We also hurt for the ones affected by this virus. There are families mourning and we join with them in their pain.

But even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we can always find something to be thankful for. I was reminded of this truth walking in Walmart.

What are you focused on? 

It's like the story of the man who was traveling and came upon an old farmer in his field beside the road. The traveler asked the farmer, "What sort of people live in the next town?"

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another traveler saw the farmer and stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them."

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town."

Our quality of life depends on what we focus on.

Paul wrote to the church and said, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Notice, Paul did not say to give thanks for all circumstances, but to give thanks in all circumstances.

I'm not thankful for the coronavirus.
But I am thankful for the medical professionals working to combat this pandemic.

I'm not thankful for the loss of jobs and the negative economic impact.
But I am thankful we are being reminded what is truly valuable in life.

I'm not thankful we are limited on where we can go and what we can do.
But I am thankful we can spend time with our family and even speak to our extended family members via Facetime.

What are you focused on today?
We are so blessed by God, even in the midst of a pandemic.