I spoke last Tuesday at my house group on Thankfulness. I've just finished reading a fantastic book called One Thousand Gifts. Between the book, my thoughts for house group, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I've been amazed at how many ways I overlook the blessings in my life.
I had an eye appointment two weeks ago and found out my vision has gotten worse. I needed new glasses/contacts. I chose to get new glasses, and I've been getting used to them. The other morning, I was getting ready and I was getting annoyed by my vision (I had yet to put my glasses on). And then I realized how ungrateful I can be. I have glasses to put on. I didn't have to even think twice about getting glasses. To me, they count as a necessity and yet for so many in the world, they would be a luxury.
I've been struggling with more headaches lately than I would like. The other night, my neck and back were aching, as a side effect of the headaches. As I was boiling the kettle to fill my hot water bottle (it feels so good to lay my head on when it hurts), I realized once again how spoiled I am. I have medicine. It may not work as well as I'd like, but it at least alleviates the pain. I have running water and electricity, and enough of both to boil water for a hot water bottle.
The soles of my favorite boots are worn thin. I can almost put my finger through the sole. I've worn them nearly daily over two autumns and winers of walking miles around London. But I'm looking around for a place to resole them. And in the meantime, I have a second pair of boots. And Wellington boots. And fleecy winter boots. There are probably more people than I realize, even just in this city, who cannot say the same.
My heart is breaking for Zimbabwe, for so many faces. Some I've met and many I've not. This morning I actually thought through what I wanted to eat for breakfast. You see, I have choices of what I want to eat. And some mornings, I even make the choice not to eat, just because nothing seems appealing. What's more, I cannot imagine not having that choice. I've never lacked in provision.
Tears run down my cheeks when I think of how many blessings I do have. Lord, forgive me when I overlook them.
The London days are growing short. Tonight at house group we were commenting how at 4:00pm, it's dark. The weather is damp and cold. But I'll be sleeping in a warm bed, in warm pjs. A friend from house group even drove me home, so I wouldn't have to stand and wait for a bus at night. Her generosity got me home in 5 minutes rather than 20.
It doesn't seem fair that I have it so good. Nothing I've done has "earned" this. Yes, I work and earn my wage, which some might say "entitles" me to housing and food, but I don't think so. I haven't "earned" the right to clean water, heating, or someone to see me safely home at night. I want everyone to have this, but I'm not sure how to make it happen. The answer is probably "one at a time," but I wish it could happen faster! I just pray that I can see the ways that I can help bring some of these things to pass in the opportunities God gives.
Tonight, I got distracted during our house group. As the discussion went on around me, I kept coming back to Ephesians 3:17. (It wasn't even the passage we were discussing!) It says, "Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." What a picture. It brings to mind Psalm 1:3 "They are like trees planted along a riverbank, bearing fruit each season." Being rooted in love and bearing fruit to help others. I want those deep roots.
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