Thankful for "the basics"

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This week as I have watched the coverage from Haiti my thanksgivings have focused alot on what we consider "basics". Unfortunately, for those in Haiti, many of them didn't even have many of these things prior to the earthquake. Oh, how my heart aches for them! And, how much I realize how very blessed we are to live in this country and to know the Lord!

I am thankful for....
  • a roof over my head when I go to sleep at night
  • my health and the health of my family members
  • the ability we have to provide food, clothing, and shelter for our children
  • clothes to wear and the ability to clothe my children
  • a car to carry me to church, to work, to take the kids to school, etc
  • "modern conveniences", such as, our washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator
  • clean water to drink and to user for bathing
I could continue on and on this evening, but I'm sure you can see where my thoughts are tonight.  We are so blessed in this country.  God has given us so very much.  I fear that so much of it we tend to take for granted.

As I am so thankful for all of this and much more, I pray that I would never take it for granted.....  that I would always be aware of how much I have in comparison to so many others in this world.  I pray that I would have a heart that is aware of and willing to share these many gifts with others that are hurting and in need.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

16 Thoughts Shared:

Sue said...

Hi Melanie,
My heart and mind have had the same thoughts this week,my prayer is that I too will not take for granted all of the blessings I have living in this country. And to remember to pray for those who do not have as I do. What a wonderful post to read tonight, Thank you for sharing your heart and thank you for your sweet comment on my post.
Blessings,
Sue

Maisie in Maine said...

Yes. I, too, fear that we take much for granted. By my government's standards, I am considered poor. But, by the world's I am blessed beyond measure.

Pia said...

thank you for reminding us that there are so many things we can thank God for, that we are indeed blessed.

blessings to you, melanie.

jo.attalife said...

Even the 'eyes' to see and 'heart' to appreciate our blessings are wonderful gifts of God. We indeed are blessed. Thanks for sharing.
Please see mine here.

Denise said...

Bless your thankful heart.

Raise Them Up said...

My heart is right there with you. :)

Blessings

Rocks said...

thank you for reminding me through your post that whatever i am experiencing right now is nothing compared to what our brethren in Haiti are experiencing.

God bless you!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

I can't watch any of the images coming from Haiti with out being on my face before God- grateful for what we have and sad for all that has been lost. But He is bigger than any earthquake!

christy rose said...

I want to remember to be thankful for the basics too! Great post for a wonderful reminder to be grateful for what is most important.

Unknown said...

Oh Melanie,

You are so right. We need to remember just how much we have. We also need to remember how much the Lord expects of us that have much.

Great post... You moved my heart and as I sip from my cup of water just now, I give thanks.

Love you so much. I am hugging you. See you next week. Hugs, LYnn

Erica said...

We do have so much to be thankful for. My heart breaks when I see those precious children without parents to care for them. I have been praying that the Lord would wrap them up in His strong arms. Thank you for reminding us of all we have to be grateful for.

Debbie Petras said...

Isn't it amazing how we take so muh for granted? I guess it takes a matter of perspective, doesn't it?

Blessings,
Debbie

Amydeanne said...

amen!
Great things to be thankful for!

Jenny said...

Hi Melanie, thanks for this thoughtful post. We are quite blessed!

christy rose said...

Great list. I never want to take the basics for granted either.

eph2810 said...

I so agree with you that we should not take our blessings for granted. I know that I do too often.

Thank you for sharing your grateful heart with us.

Love & peace,
Iris