Thankfulness

As I was praying this morning, I was struck by how many people in my small circle are going through tough times. Some in the midst of very difficult physical trials. Some are struggling with family and emotional needs. Some with the lingering burden of financial hardships. Some who are elderly and lonely. Some that feel discouraged and hopeless. Then, there are those in other places in the world that I have come to know and love, enough to be aware of current trials and needs they are facing. I prayed this morning for individulas with particular needs in Russia, and Italy, and Romania, and Spain.

I suddenly was also struck with how blessed I am and with how unthankful I am so often. I paused and began to just thank God for everything I could think of realizing that nothing was too small or insignificant to be thankful for. I thanked God for the breeze coming through my window, for the birds singing in the trees, for being able to see the birds and hear their songs, for being able to get out of bed this morning, for a loving wife to share my life with, for the warm coffee I was drinking, for strong hands to lift the coffee to my lips, for being able to taste and smell the coffee, for a car to drive, for gas to put in the car, for the beating of my heart, for the Bible open on my desk, for being able to read, for shoes, for being able to walk, for family and friends, for a voice to speak, for a healthy mind. . . for God's patience and continued blessings to me even though I am so often unappreciative.