{day fifteen} simple things...

'Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows,

and the more power you have to use it on your behalf.

If you do not practice gratefulness, its benefaction will go unnoticed,

and your capacity to draw on its gifts will be diminished.

To be grateful is to find blessings in everything,

This is the most powerful attitude to adopt, for there are blessings in everything.'
Alan Cohen

On this cold, dreary, rainy November day, there are many small things that I am thankful.  Small and often over-looked, taken-for- granted things.

As I turned the alarm clock off this morning and listened to the rain pounding the roof over my head, I was thankful for that roof.  A sturdy protection from the elements. 

As I hurriedly stumbled out of my warm bed and into a steaming hot shower, I was thankful for hot water.  A daily shower.  And a cozy, warm bed to lay my head at night.

As I loaded up my girl in the car, I was thankful for warm clothes and hats and gloves and umbrellas.  {Since we don't have a carport or garage, umbrellas are handy on days like today. Aggrevating, but handy.}

As we drove to school/work, I was thankful for heated seats in my car.  And the luxury of being able to travel to work protected from the cold and rain.

A roof, heat, warm water, my bed and pillows, hats, gloves, warm clothes, umbrellas.

Simple things.

Taken-for-granted things.

Hardly-thought-about things.

Yet to so many, they are more than simple.  Much, much more than simple.

Luxurious.  Dreamt-about.  Wished for.  Hoped for.  Prayed for.  But never simple.  Never, ever simple.

When I actually pause long enough to reflect on all the blessings I take for granted, I am humbled and nearly brought to tears.  My heart fills as if it might burst wide open with gratitude.

While I have never seen true poverty with my own eyes, the images I have seen have brought me to my knees.  In prayer and thanksgiving. 

With the holidays fast approaching, I want to always take a moment to remember the many blessings in my life.  The simple things that I take for granted.  The often forgotten things that have become commonplace.  And I want to pause and lift up those who have needs for the simple things.  There is only One who can supply all their needs.  And I pray that I can, in some small or big way, be His hands and feet to help provide simple things to those in need.

'You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need,

his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.'

Philippians 4:19