Today, I think I want to spend some time reflecting on gratitude. There is a saying about "first world problems" for people who live in well developed places that are all angry or frustrated when one of our luxury items or lifestyle options isn't perfect. I think its time I spend some thought on things I take for granted, things I don't often think of, but are such a blessing!
So here is my list of things we have that I don't often think about, but am grateful for in my life - things that many people would be ecstatic to experience, or have:
1) clothes that fit
2) clothes that aren't worn out
3) clothes that are appropriate for the season
4) shoes that fit
5) socks and underwear
6) not having to wash my clothes every night
7) a comfortable bed to sleep in
8) no bugs in my bed
9) pillows
10) blankets
11) able to sleep in a room with my door open
12) able to sleep through the night without hearing any gunfire, or screaming, or even honking horns
13) a bed in a bedroom
14) temperature controlled home, heat in winter, A/C in summer
15) running water, in my house
16) clean water, in my house
17) water that is safe to drink
18) toilets that flush and don't smell
19) toilet paper
20) the ability to bathe when I want to, daily if desired
21) soap, shampoo and deodorant
22) tooth paste and tooth brushes
23) my own private bathroom
24) towels and wash cloths
25) not having to bathe in someone else's dirty water
26) automatic hot water
27) refrigerators for safe food storage
28) electric stove and oven
29) freezer for safe food storage
30) grocery stores with an abundance of food stocked in them daily
31) money to buy food
32) not being hungry
33) not having to hunt for my food
34) multiple grocery stores within an easy distance
35) a car that works
36) a car that is mine, that I can drive whenever I want to drive
37) the freedom to drive wherever I want to
38) inexpensive fuel
39) comfortable furniture
40) enough furniture to equip multiple rooms
41) doors that lock
42) windows that lock, and open
43) electricity
44) quiet neighborhood
45) a yard that is mine
46) trees, birds and wildlife visible
47) air that is clean to breathe
48) no visible pollution or trash
49) books
50) education
51) neighbors who are caring and friendly
52) family living nearby
53) not having to do manual labor to support my family
54) a relatively stable economy
55) personal space, having multiple rooms I can go to if I want to be alone
56) quiet
57) peace
58) loving family members
59) freedom
60) eyeglasses with the correct lenses
61) enough food for the day, for all my family
62) clean dishes
63) pre-processed food
64) a well balanced diet, if I want it
65) a diverse diet, plenty of food options
66) readily available medicine
67) readily available modern medicine and medical care
68) inexpensive medicine
69) medicine to relieve some of the common aches and pains
70) law and order
71) freedom of religious expression
72) freedom of speech
73) freedom of movement
74) freedom to choose
75) abundance of food
I know I could keep going for quite a while, but this sure helped me be thankful for all the blessings that are in my life, many of which I take for granted every day!
As Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV:
[16] "Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
May the Lord bless you today, and may your life be filled with abundant blessings! May your heart be filled with gratitude!
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