This morning the TV is on with stories of the horror and tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti. It makes me think of all of the blessings I enjoy each and every day that I never even consider as blessings. I talked on the phone yesterday with two of my sons, texted with one of my other sons and had a nice conversation with three of my daughters in law and texted and talked to my daughter and mother. Considering that in Haiti, many men and women are searching for any sign of their children, grandchildren, parents and other loved ones, I feel I should be more grateful and aware of the blessings I take for granted. I turn a tap and clean cold water rushes out. I turn a tap and hot water rushes into my shower. I toss clothes into a machine with a minimum of effort and soon have clean, dry clothes. ( I still have to put them away, but not everything is perfect.) I put a key in the ignition and can drive anywhere I want to pick up books at the library, (a wonderful blessing), chose from the enormous array of goods offered in any one of dozens of stores. Call a great doctor and make an appointment for a checkup, eat out at any of many restaurants, connect with old friends and new on the internet, wear my choice of clothes, shoes, coats. I can worship where and how I want, or not if I so chose, and I have the right to speak out my opinion about this and countless other subjects as I see fit. The list could go on and on and yet I find that I so often take these many blessings for granted.
When was the last time I prayed and did nothing but thank my Father in Heaven for all of these blessings? When was the last time I prayed and did not ask for any blessings for me and my loved ones? Maybe prayer should be a conversation with God, listing and thanking him for all of the countless tender mercies in my life. They are many, and unfortunately it is sad that a tragedy in another part of the world is what it takes to make me think about and acknowledge this.
(I thought that by signing up as a follower, that I'd be getting email notifications of new posts, but apparently not. I'm bummed that I've been missing these posts as you've posted them!)
ReplyDeleteAs 2009 turned to 2010 and I read back through my journal (that I finally kept during 2009!), the one thing that is so apparent is the Lord's hand in my life, and His intimate knowledge of me. How silly I am when I forget that He knows me and loves me; He made me. He knows WAY better than I do who I am. Jesus knows exactly how I feel when I've had to go through hard and painful times. God's constant hand in my life and that evidence through his consistant (if I'm looking for them) stream of tender mercies is truly a marvel. He can't take the pain and hardhips from my life, but He can comfort me and cheer me on along the way. His blessings are neverending.