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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.

Comments

Denise said…
Bless you sweet blessing.
lori said…
I LOVE it, AND I think I will join you on this one...gratitude is so much a part of my spirit that I want to 'feed' it! We just overlook SO much in our daily lives!
I will be in on this!:) what a PERFECT time of year..and how awesome that the Jewish proclaim 100 things, daily...LOVE THAT!
peace and THANK you for sharing!:)
~lori
Jennifer said…
Love the idea of getting the kids involved in 100 Blessings a Day...we have been working on the character quality of gratefulness lately, and I think this would be a great *project* for us. Thanks for sharing!
lori said…
Hey, I'm back...I was so moved by this that I added your link to the end of my post..I hope that you don't mind that...
I just LOVED the idea of 100 daily blessings and where it came from...thank you for sharing and maybe it will the spirit will spread!
~peace again:)
lori
Cyndi said…
Yes!! The list could go on with each heartbeat. His mercies are new every morning, and with each minute it's a new morning somewhere. Oh, He is so, so good! I love the 100 blessings a day. :)
Mary said…
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing. May we all open our eyes to every blessing that is before us. Blessings
Rachelle said…
Wow, what a profound insight. Thanks for sharing this. It's a great reminder to go through our days LOOKING for the blessings rather than the opposite. Have a wonderful Thursday!
Yours is the 4th post I've read from a blog I've not visited before. God is picking for me. I was very much blessed by your post. I think listing 100 blessings a day is a great idea.
Mama Bear
Nise' said…
What a great challenge! Surely will keep the focus in the right place.
Love this idea.

My family does "thankful journals" and we gather to share our ten reasons we are grateful. It's wonderful to read out loud one-by-one our thoughts. I always try to have one of mine be something about my two kids and hubby. This way they all hear the verbal affirmation. It's been happening for two years now. Not everyday but at least once a month, if not weekly or twice a week.
Unknown said…
what a great challenge! I've learned so much about the attitude of gratitude.
Aisling said…
I wonder if I have the time to sit and write 100 things a day. I should be thankful I have enough to do to fill my time, huh?
She Rose Up said…
I just today wondered out loud to myself in my very dear husband's presence..."I wonder if women can be monks" This led to a very funny discussion about not when they are married...but the gist was I wanted some peace and QUIET! Not so much talking! :) And all the women said Amen!

Amyway,your site is wonderful & I have added it to my list of favs. When I saw your mumblings of a Mommy Monk name, I had to stop by!

And in the spirit of the post,

I am grateful for your post,
grateful we have the freedom to connect over the internet and edify each other and Lift Up the Name of Jesus & celebrate His Word!

Thanks,
Maria
Lisa said…
What a great idea and wonderful list! I'll let you know if I do it. I'm so behind on everything, I don't know if I'll have time, but I'll try!

Blessings,
Elisa
lori said…
I KNOW I had at least 100 yesterday...I thought all through the day...
even on the way home from church and the song that played!

What a wonderful habit...
beginning over again...I'm going to try and write them all through the day..not sure how that will go, have to remember where I put the paper:)

If you are up for a weekend post, I linked up my 'delighting in the details' and I would LOVE to hear yours...
If you get the chance, I know it would be a blessing~~
~thanks again Heather!
lori
Crystal said…
Thanks so much for sharing and joining in with this week's Thankful Thursday!
Blessings

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