Ordinary Goodness

This month’s theme is blessings; benefits, bounty, good fortune, a source of consolation, and God’s favor. 

Recently, while my husband and I ate a picnic lunch at our favorite spot at the lake, I looked out at the view in front of me and a specific phrase, “Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside,” came to mind. It is from a hymn that we used to sing many years ago at the little rural church we attended. The hymn is entitled, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

The writer of this song, Thomas O. Chisholm, was a common ordinary guy. He wrote more than 1, 200 spiritual poems. Some of them, including Great is Your Faithfulness, were set to music. 

Based on hymnary.org Chisholm was a minister for one year, then resigned because of poor health. Interestingly, he then went on to write life insurance policies along with poetry. 

His main aim in writing poetry was to incorporate as much scripture as possible while at the same time avoid flippant or sentimental themes. Perhaps because he wrote serious and practical poetry, my brain could hold onto the words.

Chisholm wrote, “Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!” I only have to come up with enough blessings to write ten blogs. Consequently, blessings seemed like a reasonable theme for this month. 

There are common, ordinary, and everyday blessings that everyone can enjoy. For instance, the sun rises on everyone and the rain drenches my yard as well as my neighbors’. 

I can enjoy the view of the lake just as much as any tourist who comes to town. 

Anyone who finds the wild and ripe huckleberries growing in the woods are free to pick them. And the hiking and biking trails are not limited to certain folks. 

So, when I notice a piece of good fortune, a benefit, something beautiful or bountiful, I know I am blessed. But, I also know the Source of my blessings. Knowing the Source, I think fills me with gratitude.

Why Bother?

Why bother noticing ordinary goodness? Noticing ordinary goodness, can cause us to consider the source of ordinary goodness. As one writer puts it, all good things are God things that lead to Him.