After watching a week + of the coverage of the tragedy in Haiti, my mind reels. The pictures seem to be of a world so far removed from my everyday life. The poverty and devastation are almost too much for my mind to comprehend.
Watching the whole thing unfold has had a weird effect on me. (SHOCKER: I found a way to make a natural disaster that occurred almost 2000 miles away about ME ... It's a gift.) This may sound bizarre, but, I can't help but feel thankful for my life. Not in a cold, callous, disconnected, "I'm better than the Haitians" kind of way. But in a, "Man, I am so blessed! How'd I get so fortunate?" kind of way. Big stuff, small stuff, good stuff, bad stuff, I can't help but be amazed at my life. So, while my heart breaks for the people of Haiti, I feel compelled to stop and give thanks. There's nothing I've done to deserve what I have, so gratitude MUST be my response. It's the only response, apart from donating to relief efforts, that makes sense.
Episode 41: "Today I am thankful for... comfort and safety."
Are you like me? During the course of the day do you tend to whine and complain? And are the sources of your "discomfort" typically 1st world issues? Mine typically are. I whine because my 68 degrees Fahrenheit home is too cold. I complain because the wireless router has to be rebooted and I have to get my lazy butt out of the chair and flip a switch. I'm annoyed when an app doesn't load quickly enough on my iPhone. First. World. Problems. Some days I near emotional break down because my hubby doesn't understand me. I might throw a fit if certain movies don't screen in this little town. I've even been known to bitch about the vacation policy of my husband's very stable, very cushy job. First. World. Problems.
Truth is, the fact that my life is so privileged that there is time for me to worry about these issues is a real testament to how blessed I am. I'm comfortable. I'm safe. I'm well (probably too well) fed. I'm healthy. I don't worry about where the mortgage payment is going to come from, and I don't fear for my life when I work, worship or write about what's on my mind. It is jaw dropping when I really stop to think about it.
So today, I am thankful.
2 comments:
I've been thinking many thoughts like the ones you've written here. I have so much to be thankful for!
We all have much to be thankful for. We need to take time to be thankful.
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