Growing up, our parents told my siblings and me to “count your blessings before you go to sleep.” They also made sure we watched Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney as they sang “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” in the popular film White Christmas. The messages at home, in school, and at mass were consistent - find the good, count your blessings.
Thanksgiving seems the appropriate day to count blessings and find the good in our lives. This year, as our holiday traditions have been interrupted by a worldwide pandemic and many of us are missing loved ones at the table or mourning those taken from us, counting blessings may be a bit challenging.
In articles, family conversations, and in homilies, we have been told that despite its challenges, this year has been lined with blessings: more time with family, introspective reflections on life, flexible work situations; but for some, those blessings are not so obvious.
As we face today’s holiday, we may be thinking of who was with us last year or what traditions we were practicing. Our focus may be on counting all we have lost and what is missing rather than counting what is present in our lives.
My list of what I miss includes my sister in law’s amazing turkey, my brothers’ arguments over politics and football (the same noise I also complained about last year), hours of board games, and crazed Black Friday shopping. My day today will be limited to just my immediate family and we will struggle as we find new ways to celebrate.
I feel lost and the blessings do not roll off my tongue as quickly as they normally do. During these times, I force myself to focus on what St. Francis de Sales wrote:
“Do not think that you will be able to succeed in your affairs by your own efforts, but only by the assistance of God; and on setting out, consign yourself to His care, believing that He will do that which will be best for you.”
And so again, I try to heed Francis’ words. I will try to remember today that I am never alone and that if I listen closely, God will help me count my blessings.
Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep by Bing Crosby
Paula M. Riley
Communications Consultant
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