Things We Take For Granted

I am not accustomed to having car trouble, praise the Lord.  Now, my car is not new.  It's nine years old.  But it's Japanese, and extremely reliable.  I love my car.  I take for granted, every day, that I can go out to the garage, get in my car, and go wherever I need to go.  I take for granted that everything in the car will work.

So I have had a tough time over the last few days swallowing the fact that the blower motor in my air system went kaput on Tuesday.  Tougher to swallow is the fact that the mechanic has been telling me since Wednesday morning that the "part is on the way."  Now that it's Friday morning, I imagine that part taking one of those swirly, loopy routes marked by a dotted line in the old Family Circus cartoons.

But you know what?  It's after Labor Day, and the weather has mercifully grown cooler this week.  It could be much worse.  What if we were still in the searing 100 degree days of July and August?  I am thankful.  And further, as I have to drive on the interstate today, I might have to do it in the loud, whipping wind.  But my parents have offered me the use of one of their (newer, more luxurious) cars.  Yes, please!

At the end of the first day sans A/C in my car, I had another thought.  As I was taking a hot shower, I said, "Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to live in a place with hot and cold running water!"  What a delight that hot shower was, just as it always is after I have been to walk, been gardening, etc.

Some other things we take for granted every day?  The internet.  Police and Fire Department protection.  Access to medical care.  Our children's teachers.  Grocery stores close to where we live.

Despite the economic troubles we have seen in this country over last few years, we still live in a rich country, full of blessings and conveniences.  Take a minute today and thank God for the conveniences in your life, even if they are fewer than they were a couple of years ago.  Compared to lots of other places in the world, we still live in a spot where God's blessings are evident.  Now, go take some of your blessings and share them with others!