One morning, earlier in the week, I woke up and crawled out of a warm, soft bed....a comfortable place used to recharge my body and spirit after a long day.  I got up and walked to the kitchen where I had my choice of many different breakfast options.  Cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, milk, coffee.  Sausage, eggs, bacon, cereal, breakfast bars, fruit.  My kitchen was full of delicious things. I turned on the faucet to fill my glass and pure, clean water came out for drinking.  Right there inside my home.  As much as I wanted.  I reached in the cabinet and got out my medicines. Medicines used to treat and prevent and relieve were readily available to me.  I turned on the television to watch the news.  I had access to information and different points of view on what's going on in our country and the world.  I watched a couple of news stories about the new president-elect who was chosen by a democratic process in which everyone had a say.  I headed to take a shower and get ready for the day. A warm shower to make me feel refreshed.  I walked into my closet and looked through all of my clothing options and then shoe options.  There was something in there for any occasion. It was hard to decide.  I grabbed one of my several jackets because it was a little chilly outside.  I headed out to the garage and climbed into my vehicle.  I cranked it and it took me where I needed to go in just a very short time.  I met a friend for lunch.  We bowed our heads before we ate our hot meal and thanked God for our time together.  We weren't fearful of punishment or afraid of reprimand.  After lunch, we walked through a couple of stores where I bought a gift and something else I probably could've done without.  We walked to our cars and I saw the American flag flapping in the breeze near the shopping area.  It was flying over the country that guaranteed us the freedoms that we were enjoying together.  We hugged and parted ways and I drove on to work.  I passed a hospital, a doctor's office, a police department, a dentist's office, a fire department.....all available if my family ever needed them.  Navy jets flew overhead in the big blue sky.  They were ready to combat any threats to our nation's security.  I passed my son's school.  A safe and caring environment where he goes to get a good education.  As I drove, I noticed several churches where people gather and worship God any time they choose. I arrived at my job which pays me to do what I enjoy doing in a comfortable environment and for a fair wage.  My son and my mother called me on my phone during the afternoon.  My daughter and husband texted me, too.  I was able to easily communicate with the people I love no matter where they were.  I made my way back home after work.  I went in from the cold and sat down in my chair with my family there.  It was a dry and warm place.  I heard the heater come on.  The warm air felt so good.  No matter what the weather conditions were outside, I was safe from them there.  My refuge at the end of the day.  My husband came in from work.  He'd been at the job that provides us with all the things we need and some things that we just want.  I got up to start supper.  I turned on the oven and reached in the refrigerator and got the ingredients that I needed to make a meal for my family.  When we got finished eating, there were leftovers.  No one in our house went to bed hungry.  As it got closer for bedtime, I reached over and took the Bible from the table next to my chair and read for a little while.  From the chair where I sat, I could see four more copies of God's word in that room alone. Then, I got my laptop and decided to work on a blog post.  I was free to post anything that was on my mind.  It was up to me. 

Before I went to bed, I thought that it had been a pretty routine day.  Nothing out of the ordinary had happened.  Just a normal, run of the mill day weighted down with blessings and gifts.  Some I recognized as gifts as I was enjoying them.  Others, I just considered routine and skimmed right over their worth.  God, when I find myself becoming desensitized to my blessings, help me not stay in that place for long.  

I know there are parts of this world where my routine would be considered only a dream. God has most generously poured out His provisions over us......and then some. 

I want to remain constantly aware that, without Him, I would have nothing.

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!

I'm thankful for you.