As we approach Thanksgiving I encourage us all to take some intentional time to count our blessings and give thanks to God.  In the words of an old gospel song, "Count your blessings name them one by one.  Count your blessings see what God has done. .....".   What a great idea!   I suggest you take a pen or a keypad and list the many blessings in your life.   You will be astonished by the results.    Go ahead, carve out a block of time and start listing the long list of blessings, name them one by one.      You may choose to start listing the blessings randomly.   Others may choose a more guided approach.   If so, below is a suggested partial list of categories.  

It is always a blessing to be around a person who has the gift of encouragement.    Persons who have this God-given gift walk into a room and the mood brightens up.    They have the unique ability to speak life-giving words!   The words of affirmation they share can keep you going for days.