100 Blessings

Duet 28:1-6 "If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God: God's blessing inside the city, God's blessing in the country; God's blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks. God's blessing on your basket and bread bowl; God's blessing in your coming in, God's blessing in your going out. 7 God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They'll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads. 8 God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he'll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you."

I was reading my giveaway book and this quote popped out at me: “A pious Jew, expected to pronounce a blessing more than a hundred times a day, remains always on the lookout for something deserving of a barakha.” (Philip Yancey Prayer: Does it Make any Difference? p. 183)

Here I was thinking I was doing so great trying to come up with thanksgiving every Thursday and then I found out pious Jews give thanks over 100 times a day! Wow! So, I challenged myself to find 100 blessings each day – from the simple things we take for granted, to food and drink, to spiritual blessings, and all the precious gifts He bestows regularly. Which, by the way, is easier when you enlist the help of others. The kids went around the table last night with each child sharing a praise and we went around the circle at least 10 times (that was 40 blessings right there).

So, for a start today, I’m thankful for:
Sight
Sunshine
Quiet mornings
The Holy Word of God
A husband-protector
Three living blessings
A roof over my head
Oatmeal and milk
Coffee and cream
Computers
And, the list will go on all day long….

Do you want to take the challenge? Can you try to find 100 blessings a day for the next week? Let me know if you’re going to try to do this too!

Here’s a list of some of the Brachas (Blessings) that can be found in the Talmud just to give you an idea of how to get started.

"Blessed are You…..Who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night."
"Blessed are You…..for not having made me a slave."
"Blessed are You.....for having made me according to His will."
"Blessed are You… Who gives sight to the blind."
"Blessed are You… Who clothes the naked."
"Blessed are You… Who releases the bound."
"Blessed are You… Who straightens the bent."
"Blessed are You… Who spreads out the earth upon the waters."
"Blessed are You… Who firms man’s footsteps."
"Blessed are You… Who has provided me my every need."
"Blessed are You… Who girds Israel with might."
"Blessed are You… Who crowns Israel with splendor."



For more thankful hearts today, visit Crystal.