Bishop Hutterer: Counting Blessings

As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded to notice God’s abundance and “count our blessings.” You may even practice this at a Thanksgiving table of family, friends and food.

It’s easy to think of Jesus at such a table. The Gospel gives us numerous examples of Jesus and the disciples giving thanks for the bread of that day, and then returning to the dusty road of service with nothing more than simple clothes and sandals for walking.

Reflecting on the topic of blessings in an article for Sojourners, Stephen Mattson writes, “Contrary to our consumer tendencies, Jesus’ teachings continually instruct believers to sacrifice and be willing to give everything away for the sake of loving others. The disciples of Jesus lived a dangerous and hard life that continually relied on the hospitality and generosity of others.” This made me wonder, do we consider the actual lives of Jesus’ disciples a blessing?

What happens if we are not the center of our blessings? What happens if instead we see ourselves as one small part of God’s greater blessing? We are God’s vessel through which God works. We own God’s blessings no more than a stream owns its water. We are simply open to the flow from a higher source and share the gifts of life as they come before us.

During this season of giving thanks, I encourage you to count a different kind of blessing: not the blessing of what you have, but of what God has you doing. What are you giving this day, and to whom?

Reflect on the previous year and tally your moments of service, formal and informal, aware and unawares.

Looking ahead, listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit. What new path beckons you? Whose new face is looking to you? What new gift has the Spirit implanted within you, waiting to bloom and share with others?

With gratitude for how God does good through you,

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA