Perspective. Today’s post really got me thinking about my life vs. the rest of the world. I thought I would make a top 10 list of the things I’m grateful for that most of the world doesn’t have access to. It’s helping me think differently about them and me. What would my life look like without these things? No particular order here. What would you add to this list?
Top 10 Things I’m Grateful for:
1. Clean water that comes out of my pipes and Hot water
2. 24 hour access to doctors, medical facilities, and medicine
3. Grocery stores
4. Employment
5. Indoor plumbing including toilet paper
6. Educational opportunities for my family
7. Electricity
8. Access to banks and loans
9. Opportunities of my children, athletic teams, artistic opportunities, field trips, etc.
10. A vehicle and/or transportation.
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I am definitely a fan of TP and running (clean) water!!! I am also a fan of Facebook and E-mail…how petty is that? But when it all comes down to it, we only NEED Jesus!!!
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Bible in any version
Air conditioning
Access to education
fast food- don’t know if this is good or bad!!
cell phone
clean clothes to wear
police that are not corrupt or on the take
road system
shoes
clean dishes
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:46 pm
freedom and deodorant
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:48 pm
freedom and deodorant
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:55 pm
My Family
The Church
Books
Heat in the Winter
Food
Shelter
Transportation
The Internet
Employment
Medicine
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:57 pm
A comfortable bed protected by a solid roof. I will often go to bed and think about those that go to bed with anxiety, trauma, or fear. A good night’s sleep is hard to come by for far too many…and not just because they don’t have a mattress or because there are holes in their metal tin roof.
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I am ashamed to admit this, but I am thankful for air conditioning. Having just moved to Florida, this is kind of a big deal. And at the same time I realize that living without the comfort of AC is nothing compared to living without water, food, medicine, etc.
posted August 2, 2010 at 1:59 pm
My Family
The Church
Books
Employment
Food
Shelter
Transportation
Heat in the Winter
Medicine
The Internet
posted August 2, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I read this with two of my kids earlier, one of whom lived his first 7 years (in Ethiopia) without most of the things on the list. He responded that he is thankful for a house. My daughter (who just returned from a few weeks in west Africa said she is thankful for a bed. So many do not have anything to sleep on. I am thankful that I do not have to spend the bulk of my waking hours hauling water for my family, like so many women on this planet. Among the many material things for which I am grateful, I am growing even more thankful for a changed perspective. Glory to God.
posted August 2, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Spending time this summer helping Young Life Capernaum with folks with disabilities and helping my mom (& mother-in-law) both go into Assisted Living has made me grateful for so many things I take for granted.
Speech-being able to say what’s in my head
Mobility – to get where I want to go, when I want to
Eating – feeding myself, whenever I want to eat
Hearing – being able to communicate with sound and enjoy music
Seeing – to enjoy all the colors of life
Bathing – without needing someone to help me in the shower
Toileting – without needing assistance
Muscle control – to control my body, even to type this list
Reading & Writing – to enter into other worlds, learn and travel in my mind
Driving – taking myself wherever I want, when I want
Medicines – that help with pain and physical problems
Independent living – to be on my own
Friends – people who love me and don’t judge me by how I look or act (that’s a big one for me!)
Family – that love me when I’m at my worst as well as my best
Just Being – to be able to enjoy life and all that God has given me in whatever circumstance I’m in
Okay, my lists can go on and on. I’m grateful for so much (including all that you said!).
Love you, Tom. Praying for you, as always.
posted August 2, 2010 at 7:42 pm
In a word – Hope
All of the various material, physical and spiritual wants and needs listed o\in this post, individually, bit by bit and piece by piece, remove or prevent hope.
-Hope in a future
-Hope for happiness
-Hope for survival
-Hope for our children
-Hope for comfort
-Hope for health
-Hope for value
-Hope for peace
-Most importantly, hope in all of the promises of a merciful and grace-fulled God.
posted August 2, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I would like to add that I am very thankful for my church, and the freedom to not worship in fear. Also, I have a lot of food allergies, so I am thankful for health food stores. I also agree with loving the fact that I always have a Bible at my fingertips. We have MUCH to be thankful for in the U.S.!!!
posted August 2, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I am greatful for the friends that I have made in my travels and knowing that some of my dearest friends are people that I only got to spend a week to ten days with on short term mission trips. These are the people that have taken a piece of my heart and the greatest thing is knowing that if I never see them again here on earth it is okay because it will not be the last time that we will see each other.
posted August 2, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Thankful for:
my Chinese nephew and Ethiopian nephew who’s process of coming into their families has opened my eyes and changed me forever.
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