Dear Shepherdess: In the Garden State Shepherdess newsletter Lois Albers, a minister's wife in Hackettstown, New Jersey, shares her thoughts on mixed blessings. She says, "Are you ever confused a bit about your blessings? I am. Part of me is so glad, so really grateful about the many blessings I have. But another part of me is ashamed for taking so many wonderful things for granted— and even worse—for complaining about my blessings.
"Like my children. I'm so thankful to have them, and I love them so much. But sometimes I complain about the messes they make (and leave), about the problems they impose, the things they want. Yet I would be lost without them.
"And my husband. How often have I felt truly rich just in having a kind, loving husband and a happy home. But sometimes, when I want to do other things, I wish he didn't need a good meal at a certain time, that he had more time to do things around home, or that other little things were different. But how empty and bleak life would be if he were not a part of it. He's one of my greatest blessings.
"Then there's my home. How I enjoy it, caring for it—and yet sometimes I compare it with magazine houses or the luxurious homes of others and wish it were different. I protest the work it takes to keep it clean, the clutter, the lack of money to buy things we need (or is it want?). Yet it is truly a blessing.
"Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your many gifts, and please forgive me for complaining. I must learn that in this life often we must give up something for everything we gain. Help me to truly value Your blessings and banish from my thoughts the dissatisfactions."
"Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 251.
For the privilege of being a Shepherdess, I am grateful.
For the ability "to think of life as a privilege instead of a problem," I am grateful.
For health, a happy home, and loved ones, I am grateful.
For the "mercy and loving-kindness of God, . . . [and] the matchless depths of the Saviour's love" (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 338), I am grateful.
Our story this month is taken from the book Touch of Wonder, written "to help people stay in love with life."
A happy Thanksgiving to you all.— With love, Kay.
