Have You Taken things For Granted Lately?

I realize that I don't always stop to take the time to see and acknowledge how blessed I am, in so very many ways. I think some times, until something negative happens, we don't realize many of the blessings we have.

After being with others, and walking through my own trials, I've come to see how shallow my thinking can be at times. Often times we take for granted the fact that we live cancer free, until we get a cancer diagnosis. Walking is something we do without much thought, until we can't walk due to injury or illness. Who pays attention to every breath they take? Not many until each breath is an effort. Seeing is just something we do, until something changes in our eyes with aging or disease. How easy it is to prep a meal to eat, unless you're around someone, who never learned to cook and hasn't a clue where to begin.

How quick we are to judge others, when we've not walked in their shoes. Comparing ourselves in little things, robs us of being grateful for how blessed we are right now, where we are, with what we have, for such a time as this.

I hope you will join with me as we venture into the Christmas season of Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Everyone. My prayer is that we all will see the struggles of people around us with fresh eyes, God's eyes; That we will see the best in all people, seeing past the behavior and attitudes that are caused by their own pain and inner struggles; That we will share what we have, even if it isn't much; that we will be sensitive to the fear in others, caused by the pandemic, shutdowns, loss of income, loss of vision and hope; that we will share the hope we've found in our relationship with Jesus; that we won't become numb to all the dysfunction and chaos all around us, but will choose to trust God for the outcome of every situation; That we show acts of kindness, regardless of how small and that we will remember that a kind word, gesture, or deed, is often times more helpful than a monetary gift; that we will choose to be grateful in all things!

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid! May this Christmas season have new meaning for you. May you find Joy in the midst of busyness, and may you appreciate ALL that you have!