Today I am thankful for… fat birds

There is a fat little bird on the railing of my deck, singing at the top of her lungs. As I watch her sitting there content, and safe and using all of the power from the little lungs she’s been gifted, a thought drifts back into my mind. A thought from a post of a friend a few days ago.

What if you only woke up with the things you were thankful for yesterday?

A powerful question. But if it only stays a question… if I don’t try to answer it… if  I keep scrolling… I’ve missed an opportunity for true gratitude and to see this life from God’s eyes. If I don’t do this I spend more time thinking about what I don’t have, or what’s wrong, than I spend thinking about how amazing it is that I live where I live, do what I do, and have what I have.

So I decided to list some things from yesterday, and then try to imagine what my reality would be if NONE of those things were true.

• I got paid.
• Drove home safely.
• Laughter with friends.
• Friends.
• Working tastebuds for tasty White Oak craft beer.
• I own a car. That works. And has gas in it.
• Guacamole.
• Safe warm bed to sleep in.
• In door plumbing.
• Flat shoes.

And then this morning…

• I woke up. I. woke. up.
• I also got to sleep in.
• The sunrise.
• Safe warm loving caring hugs.
• My eyes allowed me to see the sunrise (and everything else)
• My ears allowed me to hear the birds singing (and everything else)
• My tastebuds allowed me to enjoy fresh eggs and toast.
• My sense of smell breathed deeply in the savory smell of coffee.
• My legs let me stand out of bed.
• I was able to pick up dry cleaning and throw in a load of laundry.  I have clothes.
• I can read. I can write. I have a computer and the internet so I can type this.

Now if I think back to yesterday. If I think back to the early morning… and I try to imagine my life without all of those things. I can’t see, smell, taste, hear, read, write. Home is dangerous, not safe. In fact I don’t have a home. I don’t have an income. I don’t have clothes. And I’m alone.

Wow. I have so much to be thankful for. What my body can do. The joy my friends bring to my life. The safety and security of my everyday moments.

I challenge you. Make your own list about yesterday. About this morning. And reflect. Do this so when the days are harder than they should be, you can pause and still tell God, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for this life.

Truth: I was struggling this morning to praise God. The daily verse in my bible app highlighted Psalm 145 where King David is praising God. And I wasn’t feeling it. I know it. But I wasn’t feeling it. Then I looked outside. I saw the bird. And now you know the rest. It’s amazing how you can take a quiet moment and ask God to show you the truth… and He does. Praise God.