For Granted?

A good night's sleep in your bed.
A relaxed state of mind.
A delicious, savory meal.
A vibrant, soulful conversation with a loved one.
A warm or cool dry house.
A car that runs without stalling.
Money in the bank.
A paycheck.
Food in the pantry.
Solid relationships with each family member.
Very close friends.

All things we can easily take for granted. And in a moment, they can all be removed in one way or another.

Insomnia.
Anxiety.
Food poisoning.
Silent Hostility.
Flood, Fire, Homelessness.
No transportation.
Bankrupt.
Empty shelves.
Estrangement.
Isolation.

When you look at the opposite end of the spectrum, the positive things are more apt to be seen as a gift.
Because that is what they are.
Whatever life you do have, even your very breath, is a gift. Life can end at any moment.

Many times we don't realize how blessed we are until something happens to take away what we had.

As we respond to the gifts in our lives, awareness of what we speak, what we think, and how we act will go a long way in helping us to be deliberately grateful.
Then we will see each relationship, each job, each home, each vehicle, each paycheck as a gift. Then we can bring that awareness to a new level and do something with it to benefit another.

Gifts, when seen in all their glory, really do shine even more when they're not taken for granted.

What is shining in your life today?

© by Dawn Herring