Thankful

Today I met with a former professor of mine from Baylor. She is a very wise woman and has helped me immensely in the past and continues to share her wisdom with me. Today as we met I explained some of my feelings of guilt because of how blessed I am. When I look at all that I have been given and realize that it is only because of God's grace that I have received what I have sometimes I feel guilty. I could've been born in a country that persecutes believers in Christ. I could've been born in the ghettos of New York City where a crack addicted dad beats his wife regularly and then leaves. But instead God chose to place me in the United States where we have freedom to worship Christ. I was born in a family who had all they ever needed. I also was born into a family that encouraged education and encouraged us to get ahead. As a result I have a degree in religion and I also have a degree in physical therapy allowing me to work a couple of jobs. I also have a loving wife and three loving children. And although our family is not perfect we love each other and forgive each other. But as I relayed my feelings of guilt for feeling so blessed my professor reminded me that it was God who placed me where am. And because God placed me where I am, I am supposed to bloom where I am planted. But she also reminded me that I am responsible for the blessings for which I've received. If I choose to spend them solely on myself and solely for my pleasure then I have misused the blessings that I have been given. But if I use the blessings that I've been given to help others then I have chosen wisely. And I am reminded as I was able to bless a couple of people this past weekend that I am blessed for giving. There is an incredible joy that I receive when I give to others and by sharing the blessings that I've been given, I myself am truly blessed.