My father had many stock phrases one of which was, 'I have a lot to be thankful for.' This was his usual response to the standard question, 'How are you, Jimmy (or 'Mr Neilly' if it was someone who did not know him as well). He was not comfortable with people complaining which he considered ingratitude. I was brought up to eat what was served on my plate at mealtimes without murmuring because my father had thanked the Lord for the food. And my mother saw her vocation in life to look after her home and her family so we sat down to three meals a day. It was only our supper that was not always served at a table unless visitors were present. My dad did not like to hear people complaining about the weather either because the weather was permitted by a gracious God. He did not like the much repeated phrase - 'miserable weather.' It was the folk who were miserable- not the weather, according to Jimmy Neilly.
Johnson Oatman, the American hymn writer from New Jersey, was on the same wave length as my wee father from Stevenston. 'Count you blessings' is Oatman's best known hymn because it contains simple lyrics to a catchy tune. January is a depressing month for many people - after all the build-up to Christmas which maybe fell short of expectations. Although the days are slowly becoming longer, we do miss the sunlight. Enjoy this lovely hymn again. Here is a hymn which is still relevant over a century and a half since it was written.
1 When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]
3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]
4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]
[Baptist Hymnal, 1991]
There is a text which perfectly sums up my parents' lifestyle. Godliness with contentment is great gain. [I Timothy 6:6 ESV]. My daughter recently shared, on social media, her grandmother's report card for the year 1926 which showed that my mother was doing very well at Stevenston High School or as it was known then - Stevenston Higher Grade. I always knew that my mother was 'clever' but I was amazed to learn that she was gaining such high marks in her subjects, especially Latin. Nevertheless, she left school and worked as a waitress and shop assistant in a baker's shop in Saltcoats. She never worked after her marriage. She was contented with her home and her surroundings. She had learned to count her blessings every day.
Comments