By Nancy Magginnis, 2025-2026 American Legion Auxiliary National Chaplain
 
As I was driving the other day, I noticed a billboard that read, “Get rich quick. Count your blessings.” And it was signed by God.
 
What a tremendously true statement. Often times, we think we aren’t rich and would love to win the lottery or a money drawing. But have we ever stopped to really count our blessings???
 
When I start to count my blessings, I know first and foremost I have a God who is always willing to be there for me. Beyond God, I have a husband who loves and supports me. I have a home, food, and all I could want materially. I have family and friends. And so much more. I am really not in need of anything — that doesn’t mean I don’t think about how much better my life would be if I could win a large sum of money. But additional money really wouldn’t make me happier than I am or would provide any additional blessings. In reality, it would probably provide more headaches. In fact, I have heard stories about those who win a lottery and how within just a few years they have blown all the money and really have nothing to account for it … that they wish they had never won.
 
There have been times when I didn’t feel blessed. There are times when I thought my world was crashing down for one reason or another. But was it really? Or was what I considered a hard time really that bad? Or was it something God was using in my life to make me a better person?
 
“We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family protection while we sleep
We pray for healing for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things.”
 
“Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?”
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?”
 
“We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness; we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe.”
 
The above are words from a Laura Story song entitled Blessings.
 
As we move into Thanksgiving, please take time to thank God for all He has given you — even if you think the “blessing” isn’t what you would like. Take time to thank God for what you’re going through and He will show you the blessing it is to you. If you think you are in need, cling to His promises like the one above — again, give Him time and He will show you how He will bless you. Also, during the wait, look for more promises from Him in His word. A thankful heart is blessed beyond belief.
 
In the context of your faith, please pray with me — God, we thank You for all the blessings You constantly place in our life. Help us to count our blessings and to see through what we perceive as a trial to see how God means to use it, to bless us. You are an awesome God and are always there for us. In Your holy precious name, we pray. Amen.