I’ve been thinking about gratitude this morning, especially when it comes to being grateful for those things I take for granted.  Here is an example:  I was taking a shower this morning, which up until last week, I pretty much did on auto pilot.  But since having surgery and not being able to get certain areas wet, it takes thought and focus to get this simple task done.  I had never thought about being grateful for such a simple thing.  Or what about the actual shower itself.  I rarely think about if the water is going to come out.  I just expect it to.  How about getting dressed, how often do we choose our outfit for the day based on what looks good or will keep us warm or cool?  For me this has also become a challenge.  I have to think through what will be the most comfortable and not rub against my surgical sight.  I can honestly say I have never taken the time to say thank you for the many different clothing options I have or for all the times I could just get dressed.

Most of this comes about due to my surgery and having to think about things that I have done for years without thinking.   Driving, or simply getting and out of the car, sitting, standing, walking, running, etc..  I think you get the idea.  Don’t get me wrong here, I am not complaining.  I feel really good post-surgery.  It has just got me thinking about the number of things I have taken and do take for granted every single day.  I have lived 50 years, most of those days not overly concerned about anything.  Not grateful about much either.  The fact is I have led a blessed life.  My family and I have always had what we needed.  Sure there have been rough patches and hard times, but God has always been there and provided for our needs.

As I sit here writing this today, I am drinking a warm cup of coffee,  I’m sitting in the dining room of my air conditioned home, on a chair and using a laptop.  Have I ever stopped long enough to say “thanks God for all these things”?  Well, to be honest, I have said thank you for air conditioning and coffee.   But more often than not, I take them for granted and wrongly assume others have access to the same things I do.  The fact is I feel like I deserve or have earned these things, this life, and these blessings.  In reality what I deserve is punishment and ultimately death due to my sin.  It is by God’s unlimited and amazing grace that I sit here today and have what I have.  The real truth is that I love the things and blessings God provides for me more than I love Him.  The hard truth is that without God’s intervention, love and mercy there would be no hope for me.  The ugly truth is that I take those things for granted as well and rarely say thank you God.

For today, and hopefully more frequently from here on out, I am going to endeavor to be grateful in all things big and little.  I am going to stop and say “Thanks God, You are Awesome!”  Will join me?

I stumbled on this verse during my quiet time this morning and it has really spoken to me.  I can’t say it relates that much to what I shared, but maybe someone else out there needs this today also.  John 11:40- Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”