Blessings

As I was enjoying my hot shower today, it made me think what a difference a small temperature adjustment can make. I like my shower really hot- especially in the wintertime. I want it just at that point that if it were any hotter it would be uncomfortable. I sometimes play around with the temperature trying to find that just right spot. When you go too far it burns, but not far enough and it doesn’t quite suit.

That made me think how sometimes there’s just a shade of difference between things that I whine about and things that I consider a blessing.

I got up early this morning to start the rituals. While I got 2 kids to take showers, I went down and started breakfast. I noticed the laundry that had not been folded the night before. I unloaded the dishes. I went back upstairs for the normal grooming of brushing teeth, hair, throwing on sweats. Waking up the 3rd child, I tried to hurry children along as I readied myself, I checked e-mail, then ushered kids downstairs to make sure book bags were packed, hair was brushed, shoes were on, coats at least in hand, breakfast swallowed and then we headed out the door.

I was listening to the radio as I drove kids to school. It was a fairly typical morning for us.

As the news regarding Haiti and the continuing aftershocks came through the news, I really didn’t think too much about it. It has been going on several days. But for some reason in my shower this afternoon, I was reminded what a fabulous morning it would have been for anyone in Haiti, had they been able to join us. The boring routine that I consider redundant was full of delights.

My family was safe in a nice home; we had running water to drink, to bathe in, to wash our clothes, to wash dishes, and to brush our teeth. We picked from a variety of options for breakfast and had choices again about clothing. I have access to communicate and gather information via phones, computers, radios, and TV. In just our typical morning we had innumerous blessings that we repeatedly overlook.

Lord, thank you for the reminder of our many, abundant blessings. Be with the families in Haiti. Be with the rescue workers who are there helping. Strengthen and protect those there. Let your love be evident in the midst of such tragedy.