Blessings - Big and Small
By Barbara Wertz
We are quickly approaching the Thanksgiving holiday, the one day we, as a nation have set aside to show our thanks for all of the blessings we have been given over the past year and in our life time.
God richly and truly blesses each and every one of us – in big ways and in small. It is easy to pick out the “big” blessings in our lives, to give thanks and to praise God. However, we all to often over look the “smaller” blessings that God has bestowed upon us. How many of us remember to thank God for the piles of laundry that are waiting for us; for that means we are blessed with clothing on our backs. The mortgage bill or rent bill that is waiting to be paid; for that means we have a roof over us and a warm place to lay our heads each night. The family member asking, “what’s for dinner,” for that means we are blessed with loved ones and food to place on our tables. The little blessings are easy to over look and sometimes, even grumble about. The Bible however tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I encourage each of you to rejoice and give thanks to God for the “small” blessings in your life each day. All of these small blessings add up and make our lives more fulfilled. Just like the “small blessings,” our mites, though freely given, often seem small, but when joined together throughout our societies, district and nationally, what a bountiful blessing they become to the individuals who receive them. We pray that all of our mission grants would be successful in their own ways of reaching out and sharing God’s love with others.
We pray for….
1.) For the Scholarship Assistance program; that those training in our Rocky Mountain District may receive the financial support they need to reach out to other ethnic groups and share God’s message of love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
2.) We pray for the Bethesda Lutheran Community and their work on developing a religious life curriculum for God’s people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That they may learn of Jesus’ love, forgiveness and promise of eternal life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
3.) We pray for the Lutheran Bible Translators, that they may set up adequate housing for our missionary families, so that they may in turn share the message of God’s love and forgiveness with others. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
4.) For the Lutheran Blind Mission in Ft. Collins, CO; that a new outreach center may be opened. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
5.) We pray for Trinity/Hope in Haiti. That this mission would be able to provide both physical and spiritual nourishment to the school children there. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
6.)For the Veterans of the Cross program. That our retired church workers would find the financial assistance they need in their retirement. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
7.) For University Lutheran Chapel in Boulder, CO that they may reach out to the younger generation in food and fellowship while sharing the message of God’s love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
8.) We pray for the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary in El Paso, TX; as they assist Hispanics who are pursuing a career in church work. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
9.)For Training Pastors for Gospel Outreach in Africa, that the pastors in training may receive the financial assistance needed to complete their training, so that they may in turn share God’s word with others through out Africa. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
10.) We pray for the Mission Outreach to Immigrants from Ethiopia; that Vicar Tomas Bayou will be able to reach out to this cultural group by providing needed child care and sharing the message of God’s love, forgiveness and promise of eternal life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
11.) We pray for the Debt Assistance Program of the Rocky Mountain District. That our young pastors would be able to receive the financial support they need so that they may focus on the work of the church. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
12.) For King’s Camp at Lutheran Valley Retreat, that the young boys and girls who have been in and out of foster home’s might be able to experience camp activities in a Christian setting along with Bible studies and worship time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Lord we thank you for all of these Mission projects and pray that your love and grace be seen in each one of them, no matter how “big” or “small” they may seem. Amen.
