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Day 169: The Things We Take For Granted

The most detail-oriented of readers would have noticed that I didn't have a post for Thursday. It hurts my brain to miss a day now that I'm 160 in, so I'm retroactively posting. Forgive me. I'm going to blame it on not being able to turn my head for most of the week due to a strange neck injury. I know, the computer and my phone can both be placed directly in front of my face (and often are) but it's my blog and I'll use whatever excuse I deem appropriate.

I have mentioned recently that I'm stressed by the house being for sale (and not having been purchased yet) and the fact that we don't have a place in our "new" town. The kids and I haven't found our summer groove yet, and the mood at this house has been tense to say the least. On Thursday I definitely didn't have the energy to reflect even one minute on gratitude. Cranky had taken over and I just didn't have an ounce of energy left to deal with it.

I realized that I don't have to come up with something post-able to exhibit gratitude There are so many things that we take for granted, that seem to be givens but that definitely aren't.

  • We are all alive and healthy, as are our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. In light of recent tragedies, this is a gift in itself.
  • We have a home.
  • We have steady income. 
  • We get along well with all of our parents and siblings. 
  • We live close enough to our families that we get to see them several times a year.
  • Our fridge and pantry are well stocked. 
  • Our vehicles are paid for and run well.
  • We have a fantastic circle of fun and supportive friends. 
  • Coffee exists.
  • So does beer.
  • And chocolate.
  • Pandora knows exactly which James Taylor song it should play on my cranky days. 
  • We've have had beautiful weather so far this summer.
I mostly just listed these things to remind myself that even when I feel like things are going poorly and I'm despairing that I'm not 100% comfortable at every moment, I have been given so many gifts and I need to praise God for those before whining to him about all the other things I "need." 

*Cough-like-a-buyer-for-my-house-Cough-and-a-new-house-Cough.*

I could share every post by Jenny at Mama Needs Coffee, because her writing and her messages are always spot on. I finally read this today and she nailed it again. Practical Steps for Living in an Age of Terror. 

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