Here are five things that I am thankful for this week. I don't recall having ever really even thought of these things before... until Guatemala.
1. Toilet bowls that have seats (and handles)
2. Bathrooms that have toilet paper
3. The ability to flush the toilet paper (when you have it) instead of throwing it in a trash can.
4. Clean water at any faucet: for showering, brushing teeth, washing hands, cooking, cleaning... drinking.
5. Food: never much of a wait when I'm hungry. Not having to hope for just even one meal a day.
Some of the most basic things. Things I almost assume are a given. Entitlement. "Needed."
But really... a luxury that I don't even think twice about... until I come face to face without.
All gifts!
Grace!
I have failed to recognize them in the past, let alone be grateful for them. In fact, often when a little of my world is altered, I am tempted to be upset, critical, to have a bad attitude.
And yet, when presented with a people that has so much less, I saw more often than not... JOY!
God is helping me to work on that, this American Ingratitude I'm finding myself infected with. UGH!
Since my return I am seeing things differently. I am hearing things differently. I am tasting things differently. I am making purchases differently. I am thinking about things differently.
Honestly, one of my biggest fears right now is that this will all change and I'll go back to who I was...
Not seeing.
Not hearing.
Not noticing.
Not receiving with thankfulness and gratitude...
Have you stopped recently to notice what you might have been taking for granted? Have you given thanks?...
I found myself nodding at each of your fives. I'd spent five weeks in Paraguay at the end of my senior year in high school and a couple of weeks in Calcutta some years later -- it's amazing the simple things we take for granted and suddenly appreciate when we get back home! God is at work.
ReplyDeleteAnn Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts helped me see those little things, and more. I remember my son's similar feelings when he returned from Haiti. Thanks for the reminders!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Perspective is a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteI've never been out of the country, but I can empathize with taking those things for granted and can get whiney and irritated when any of them are affected.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this very good perspective. Yes we are spoiled rotten and need to be thankful everyday to a good God who loves us and cares for us. Have a great weekend...
ReplyDeleteWOW! Sounds like your travels provided a lot of perspective also! Yes, God is at work, for which I am so grateful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and "chatting!" I, too, have read Ann's book and it has helped. I just think seeing, living, and breathing it all personally is just taking it all to another whole level.
ReplyDeleteHow great that your son had the opportunity to go to Haiti!
For sure! So often I take that gift, perspective, for granted as well.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time out of the country, and I'm grateful for having had that opportunity. It is so easy to get irritated when something is affecting us uncomfortably, isn't it? Oh how I know but am working on changing that! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to "chat"!
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you've nailed it. "We are spoiled rotten". Thanks for the bluntness of that, because that says it just like it is! Thank you for taking the time to stop and share this with me! You have a great weekend as well!
ReplyDeletewhat a refreshing list of faves!! We are so spoiled here in the USA. we truly are. Your post gives all of us a chance to pause and be thankful and to learn to live simply, with grace......thanks for this!!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how spoiled I really was! The call to live simply... yes, I'm being drawn to that more and more. I don't know what that looks like yet, but even the sounds of those words sound so inviting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, and for sharing!
We should all go on a trip like that to gain some perspective. We are such a spoiled culture. Thanks for reminding us of the simple things we really need to be grateful for that a lot of the rest of the world doesn't have.
ReplyDeleteWhat perspective. My husband's aunt lived in China for years...and now does without quite nicely on many things. I'm sure I could learn much...
ReplyDeleteI knew I was spoiled before I went, but I certainly did not grasp the magnitude of that. We really do have so much. So very, very much! And I am learning to appreciate it all so much more! Thank you for your faithfulness to FFF to help remind us to keep some perspective in it all!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for your husband's aunt. I'm sure she has some stories and experiences to share! WOW! I know there is certainly so much more I need to learn!
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