As a friend and I walked across a car park, he bent over to pick up a coin. 

I had walked past without seeing it, yet he acted as if he had actually been looking for it. He put the coin in his pocket and said, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ 

My friend admitted that he frequently found coins on the ground—sometimes even dollar bills. ‘I look for them, so I find them,’ he said. Then he added, ‘It’s the same with God’s blessings. I look for them, and I find a lot of them!’

My friend was right. God’s blessings are so abundant that we frequently take them for granted: family to care about us; friends to share laughter and tears; a home to go to, however humble it might be; talents and abilities to help us make our way in life. All these and so much more are gifts of a loving God.

After that day, I began to look for God’s blessings. My friend was right; I found a lot of them! This discovery of his abiding love has helped bring contentment to my days. 

It has also helped strengthen my relationship with others because I realise they too are objects of his amazing love. This lesson doesn’t make everyone a friend. But it does motivate me to try to treat others with the dignity and respect all God’s children deserve.

Prayer: Dear God, help us look for your presence and your blessings in all of life. Amen