Showing gratitude or taking for granted?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
~ James 1:17

I’ve noticed that there are SO many blessings in my life that I’ve taken for granted over the years. Simple things that I’ve not realized I was blessed to have.

Take for instance a winter coat (I have 4 thick jackets upstairs hanging in my closet). There are many many people in my own backyard that don’t even have one!

Warm hats and gloves and scarves are another. We have hats and gloves to match pretty much every outfit combination you can think of. But there’s somebody out there that doesn’t have a warm hat or gloves.

We often complain that we don’t have “snack-y foods” in the house. But, we do have food. Healthy meats and veggies. I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from. I just have to go down to the pantry and pick it out. Many people don’t know where their next meal is coming from. And I sit here complaining about a lack of snack foods?!?

My Dad has been working long hours lately (longer than normal). Sometimes by the time he gets home at night, we only get to see him for an hour or so before it’s time for bed. But there are thousands of people that haven’t seen their loved ones in years because they’re off fighting to protect this great county that we call home. But I get to see my Dad every night, every morning, and on the weekends. I’m learning to be thankful that he has a job as there are many people who would love to worry about working late or to even work at all.

I guess all I’m trying to say is that yes, there are things that we want and things that we need. God knows what we need and provides that for us. Who am I to complain about that black coat not matching my outfit when I have so much more than so many others this time of the year?

Why is it that we only notice our neighbor’s need when the air gets cold and the holidays are upon us? Why don’t we look to bless them all year long? Why don’t we thank God for all of the things that He has given us every day instead of just on Thanksgiving?

Until next time,

Bailey Sue