Image from The Legacy BuilderI had a list of things that I’m thankful for. I’ve been writing down little and big things over the past week, and I just pulled that list up to put into a little post. A funny post. Because that’s what I do, right?
But you know what? I am sitting here, watching a live chat with the Compassion bloggers in El Salvador. And they are talking about the devastating and heartbreaking poverty they have witnessed this week, and they’re telling stories about children who have saved every letter they ever received from their sponsor, and I’m bawling.
You know what Shaun (Groves) just said? He said that the number of obese people in the world and the number of people who don’t eat every day is approximately the same. So, his point was, God clearly has made enough to go around.
I don’t know how to live with that information.
So as I look at my list of what I’m thankful for, it seems pretty small. And not really that funny after all. So this week, I’m going to kick it serious style and tell you what I pray with Annalyn every night before she goes to bed.
“Dear God, thank you for this day. Thank you for a house to live in and food to eat. Please keep Daddy safe at work and bring him home to us tonight, and please help Annalyn sleep through the night. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Each night has a variation on this theme – sometimes we pray for her babysitter and her friends, sometimes we pray for family prayer requests (like job changes or health), sometimes we pray for Elmo – but we always thank God for our house and our food.
After reading and hearing about the children of El Salvador tonight, I’m even more thankful.
But don’t get me wrong. It’s okay to be thankful for other things! Next week, I will most definitely be telling you all about the department store coupon I got in the mail and the exciting surprise I got at the Target checkout. And don’t even get me started on the blessings I’ve received lately from blogging. Stay tuned for all of that.
Tonight, though, I’m thankful for a house to live in and food to eat.
What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment or link up a post. Or both! Yeah yeah, do both!
we all have so much and most of us just take for granted that we are healthy and we have food to eat 3 times a day – I'm glad I found your blog – see, that's 2 good things:)
That obesity thing is convicting. :( If only we could all be in one big room and the food could all be evenly divided or something… anyway, I hope I remember this next time I want seconds. (It could also help me lose weight — which just goes to show how blessed I am that that's my concern, and not getting enough. But I guess that's your point. Anyway.:)
I'm thankful that God's in charge. And I'm saying that partly to remind myself. :)
Wow. That statistic is really mind-boggling and convicting (about obesity). Kind of makes me wish I hadn't linked up today.
Wait. I didn't mean that in a bad way, Mary. I loved your post. But when you see mine, you'll understand. Oh, the frivolity.
Hm, excellent point. something to think on….
praying for elmo?! A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.!!!
It puts it all in perspective, doesn't it? Crazy about obese vs. starving. I couldn't believe it when I read that. Eesh.