Today is this month’s last edition of A Grateful Heart, and I must say that I’m sad to see this series go. I’ve enjoyed writing these posts because it’s challenged me to look for blessings in my life. I have so many, it’s hard to choose just one each week. Through this series I’ve realized that having a grateful heart does make you a much happier person, which is something I (and those around me) can live with! 
It may sound crazy to end this series by stating the obvious, but I think we often overlook the everyday blessings in our lives. Like life’s necessities. Tell me, when was the last time you stopped to really appreciate blessings in your life? Think about it….
When was the last time you had to walk to the nearest store because you lacked reliable transportation?
When was the last time you were hungry for food, with no money or means to get it?
When was the last time you had to read by candlelight because you had no electricity?
When was the last time you had to use an outhouse because you had no indoor plumbing?
That’s right…electricity, reliable transportation, indoor plumbing, clothing and food. Even though some of these aren’t actually necessary in order to live, they have become a way of life for us and we see them as such. It’s a shame that we have the tendency to take these daily blessings for granted, because they can be seen has real luxuries to some people in this world. There are people living in huts with dirty water to drink and people living on the streets without a bed to sleep in tonight. Stopping to think about that makes me appreciate life’s necessities that much more.
Just today I found myself griping about having to clean the house and do laundry, when I’d much rather be doing something fun. I caught myself and took a moment to change my attitude to one of gratefulness. Instead of complaining I decided to say a prayer to God thanking Him for my provisions: a clean home to live in, good health and energy to do the work needed to keep it clean, clothing to keep me comfortable during these warm, summer months, and a working washing machine and dryer to make doing laundry easy for me. Oh, did I forget to thank Him for the electricity and indoor plumbing that makes washing my clothes indoors possible? I need electricity to run my vacuum cleaner, too. I know that a vacuum cleaner and steam mop are actual luxuries and not required to stay alive, but now that I’m on a roll it’s so easy to be thankful for them.
See how easy it is to be grateful? I know that I’m blessed indeed. How about you? What are you grateful for today?
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