From the pen of Dr. Sam Jones  

Do you feel blessed? Well, I know that I am blessed. The Bible reading for today is Galatians 4-6. These chapters caused me to reflect on several things, but most of all they made me think about the many blessings I enjoy every day. In the midst of all that is going on in our lives, it’s spiritually healthy just to pause and think about the numerous blessings we each enjoy daily. 

Today’s reading made me think about Paul’s writings or epistles; I sense from his writings that he was a happy or content Christian. Although, he had a “thorn in the flesh”, it didn’t control his life (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Some people allow their circumstance in life to control them, but not Paul. He prayed to God to remove it, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” By Paul’s example of trusting in God, not complaining “Oh me” or “Why me”, he made the power of God more apparent to others. Paul didn’t permit his situation to cause him to be bitter; it caused him to think about how blessed he was. You and I are so blessed; the reading made me think about how blessed I am. 

Paul opens the chapter by reminding them (“those in Christ”) who are not under the Law of Moses (bond children), but under the Law of Christ (free children), that we are God’s blessed children. In Galatians 4:5, he tells us that we are God’s adopted sons. As I was reading about our status, it made me think about my sons and a birthday card one of them gave me recently. The card reminded me how truly blessed I am. He wrote, “I know this card is supposed to say Happy Birthday, so Happy Birthday! But what I really want to say is thank you! I could never truly express how thankful I am for you. Although there are well over a million reasons for me to say thank you. I am thankful for the way you have taken care of my (our) mother. We (the boys) laugh at your new habits of cooking, going to the grocery store, but it’s another reminder to us of the servant that you are. Serving and caring for people is a trait we inherited from both you and mom. To see how you two have served and cared for each other has been a characteristic of your marriage that we have appreciated and respected. None of us expected to be at this place in life at this time in life. I cannot say it’s easier to handle but it so reassuring to have you leading the family in this time. You are a true definition of a Patriarch. I hope you know how much my brothers and I love and admire you. I cannot imagine going through the year that you’ve had. You have handled it with unwavering faith and a steadfast zeal. But we expected nothing less from you.” 

Paul must have felt blessed. When you know that you are blessed, it’s easier to see sunshine behind the clouds. It’s easier to see peace in the midst of a storm; it’s easier to see hope, when you have been told, “There is no hope.” So, he penned this epistle to the Galatian Christians to remind them that they were the “sons of God.” If “sons” then heirs to unlimited blessings. As God’s son and to have three earthly sons like mine, I am so blessed. Hopefully, you know that you are so blessed. Do you feel blessed?