Be grateful for your blessings.

“I WENT AWAY FULL, BUT THE LORD HAS BROUGHT ME BACK EMPTY.” RUTH 1:21 NIV

When it comes to valuable life-lessons, the book of Ruth tops the best-seller list. (Have you read it yet?) For the next few days let’s look at some of them.

When famine came to Bethlehem, Naomi, her husband and two sons moved to Moab where the economy was thriving. What they hoped would be a short stay turned into ten years. Their sons married two local girls, Ruth and Orpah. Then the unthinkable happened. Naomi’s husband and sons died. As a result of her loss she became bitter. When she heard that times were good in Bethlehem, she decided to go back home. After she arrived she said, “I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty” (NKJV). What did she mean? She was saying that despite the famine at home in Bethlehem, at least there she had her husband and sons, whereas in Moab, “the land of plenty,” she’d lost them.

You never miss the water till the well runs dry! The truth is, you can be blessed and not know it. Only as you look back do you realize that what you have is much more important than all the things you don’t have. When Naomi lost what she loved most, even a famine seemed insignificant by comparison.

Have you been saying, “I’ll be happy when…”? No, happiness doesn’t come from getting what you want - it comes from appreciating what God’s given you. Instead of whining and complaining about your lot in life, stop and ask yourself, “What would I take in exchange for what I have?” If you don’t know the answer, begin counting your blessings and thanking God for them.