“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds. Praise Him according to His excellent mercies. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Ps. 150:1,2,6)
I was just sitting in my recliner this morning when it occurred to me just how blessed I am. I was just suddenly made aware of all that I have.
I was thinking about all the victims of 9/11, the Tsunami, and so recently Hurricane Katrina, that had lost everything they had in their lives, loved ones, their children, their homes and businesses, even their sanity and yet, somehow most of them manage to start over. I wonder if I have that kind of determination or whatever it is these brave people have. I pray that I never have to find out.
As I sat there, comfortable, drinking a nice cup of hot tea and enjoying the air conditioning that was keeping me cool, I felt the need to count all the blessings I enjoy on a daily basis. I know I must be grateful for even the smallest of these things that I sometimes take for granted.
I am thankful that my bills are paid, at least the one that covers the air conditioner. There are so many without electricity that I am ashamed to say that sometimes I complain about the heat. I have shelter in the form of an old mobile home to get inside when the weather is too hot or too cold. I have a comfortable bed to sleep in and clean sheets. I obviously have plenty to eat because I am not skinny or hungry. I have everything I need and some of my wants.
I am so thankful for my two animal kids, Precious, my cat and Sweetie, my little parakeet. I read about all the pets that are lost or dead as a result of these tragedies and I wonder how I would feel if my little furry and feathery loved ones were suddenly jerked from me.
Or what if it had been my grandsons? My little grandsons are safe and sound in their respective homes today, not stuck in some storm shelter or worse, separated from their family. What agony that has to be on those poor mothers.
Sometimes we forget what we have until we lose it and that is our nature, I guess. I am going to try to ensure that doesn’t happen to me. Everything that God has given can be taken away in the blink of an eye. We are only guaranteed this very moment, this second.
Right now I am grateful for every breath I take. As I breathe in and out I am becoming aware that is the very core of my physical being, my breath. Without it, I would cease to exist. Thank you, Lord for my breath.
Sharlett F. Hunt
sharlette863@aol.com