Every day there are blessings we take for granted.
Awhile back I found a comment on my Facebook fan page, it read thus: “I envy plain people”. To say I was a bit taken back and shocked would be an understatement. So I asked her, why she envied plain people. Her reasoning was because we all have homes and farms and community and family and lots of love.
Now, with the exception of the fact that we don’t live on a farm; those are blessings I take for granted. My first thought though, was this; “family? my family is messed up!” Admittedly God has done and is still doing wonderful things to bring us all back together. But why is it that when blessings we take for granted are brought to our attention, we immediately immediately think of what’s wrong with all those blessings?
Everyday that we live and breathe, there are blessings we take for granted. Whether it’s the blessing of a good man to wake up next to in the morning, sticky hands patting your face and saying “I love you”, or maybe the clothes and the homes we have, we are truly blessed.
Yet, we (and in we I mean me) say: I cannot wait to have enough money to buy that old farmhouse in the country that we want. Ugh, all my clothes are old. Where is that man!? Go wash your hands! I’m too tired to go to church this morning, I wish I didn’t have to work today. And so on, and so forth.
What is wrong with us? All these blessings we take for granted everyday and we are discontent. The “attitude of gratitude” isn’t just for November my friends. It’s an attitude we should embrace so wholeheartedly that it is not longer an attitude but a life style.
No longer taking blessings for granted but truly appreciating every moment we live.
I love the story of Pollyanna. She played the “glad game” no matter what happened to her in life, she found something to be glad about. Now why can’t we do that? Turn those blessings we take for granted, into extraordinary events in our lives. And when something isn’t just as perfect as we want them to be, find something to still be glad about!
So, in your life, what are the blessings you take for granted? Will you join me in being more intentional about recognizing the blessings we take for granted?
Joanne Viola says
April 9, 2013 at 6:54 amLoved – “find something to be glad about”. How very true!! Thank you for sharing! I visited from Titus 2 Tuesday 🙂 Blessings!
Kendra says
April 9, 2013 at 5:58 pmThanks for stopping by 🙂
LuAnn Braley says
April 9, 2013 at 7:43 pm*LOL* Remember what Pollyanna ssid you could be grateful for about their Sundays? That it was seven whole days before Sunday came around again!
Every night in prayers with my daughter, we mention our apartment, the food we have to eat, etc etc etc.
Gma says
April 9, 2013 at 9:42 pmYour littlest brother when he was here said his prayers like this. Tank oo Dod for Kendra and Jason, Tank oo Dod for Mommy and Daddy, Tank oo Dod for Grandpa and Grandma, Tank oo Dod for…. Tank oo Dod for ….. It was so sweet and precious!
Rebekah says
April 9, 2013 at 11:09 pmI always loved the movie Pollyanna! You are right. This reminds me of a conversation we had about romance and relationships, if you recall. I wasn’t noticing how romantic my guy could be at the time, since he has a diff. love language from me. It’s funny how with each of us there are aspects of our lives others may envy that we don’t see in the same light as them until it’s pointed out ;). Nice post!
Shell says
April 11, 2013 at 9:27 pmI know I take a lot for granted and I focus on what is wrong instead of what is right.
Pamela says
April 14, 2013 at 11:02 pmI, too, love Pollyanna and always hate it when people ridicule her “gladness.” I’ve been making a conscious effort to enjoy the little things. Laughing with my husband, sweet grandbaby kisses, tiny flowers sprinkled throughout my yard…
momstheword says
April 15, 2013 at 12:18 amWhat a wonderful reminder, my friend! Although when I began reading your post I thought the commenter was talking about plain as in terms of beauty, lol!
You are right, we have so much and yet we are thankful for so little. Look what we have compared to others!
When my brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer I started looking at things a bit differently and realized how blessed I was to have my health. Complaining takes on a whole new meaning when you think about what he was facing.
And yet, human that I am, I still managed to find things to complain about in my own life.
However, I am thankful to say that with his last round of chemo (he has fought this cancer three times over the last five years) they really believed that they have cured him and so he’s no longer concerned terminal.
Thank you for reminding me to be thankful today and have an attitude of gratitude!
Also, thanks so much for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party today! 🙂