An Inspirational Message for February 2026 – COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS – Charles Schokman
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What Blessings have you complained about?—How have you thanked God for them this past year.—Refer Numbers 11:1-2, 4-11
The elderly man was taking a long time looking at the children’s backpacks in the store. He told me, “It’s my granddaughter’s birthday. I hope she likes my gift.” At the checkout, he clutched a pink backpack with a cartoon character design. He looked excited.
Later in a restaurant, I saw him again with a little girl and her parents. When the child opened her gift, she said, “I don’t like this character! And I hate pink!” Her parents made her apologize, but she still complained. My heart broke for her grandpa.
I was reminded of how I sometimes respond to God’s gifts. I complain because I want something different, failing to see the miracle before me—that God Himself has lovingly given something for me. The Israelites behaved similarly. God had kept His promise to them: “I will rain down bread from heaven for you” (Exodus 16:4). God’s faithful provision in the wilderness was sure: “When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down” (Numbers 11:9).
But instead of being thankful, the Israelites complained about God’s expression of loving provision: “We never see anything but this manna!” (v. 6). Instead of humbly requesting other food from God, they wailed over His gift.
I still remember the hurt look in the grandfather’s eyes that day. It made me think of how our heavenly Father must feel when we complain. Let’s be grateful for the gifts He’s given us. Courtesy of Karen Huang-Our Daily Bread.
Expressing gratitude for past blessings is a central theme in many spiritual and personal development practices. It involves more than just a list of events; it is an active reflection that can transform one’s perspective on both current and future challenges.
Pray these hymns will give you a heart of gratitude and a spirit of thankfulness.
