Thankful for Things Easily Overlooked

Posted on July 13, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I Cor: 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Heavenly Father,

As I analyze my regular prayers I realize that I do a whole lot more asking than thanking. Today I just want to thank you, especially for things I’ve grown accustomed to and take for granted.

First, I thank you for my home. Bricks and mortar and a roof. Thanks for a/c and heat, the refrigerator and stove, a comfortable bed. I realize that over 1,000,000 people live in just ten of the largest refugee camps in the world and there are hundreds of smaller ones growing daily.

Thanks for fresh water to drink. I’ve traveled enough to know what a nuisance it is to be dependent on purchasing bottled water, even to brush my teeth. They tell me that over 633,000,000 around the world drink polluted water.

Thanks for enough food to eat. It is estimated that 12% of the world’s population dies of starvation every year, yet here I am with at least 10 varieties of every food you can imagine!

Thanks for my toilet. It sounds silly to be thankful for that, but I am. I’ve seen with my own eyes people defecating outdoors and statistics say that about 940,000,000 around the world do this.

Thank you for sufficient income that I do not have to worry about meeting my expenses. I remember what it was like when we had a bank account that didn’t even have $10 in it by the end of the month!

Thank you for my family. I know we made lots of mistakes along the way but, by your grace, they all love you and each other!! Thank you for changing my heart from being critical to being sensitive for those parents who have not experienced the same results even though they did their best. You were particularly gracious to us.

Thank you for the privilege of public ministry for more than 60 years. Thanks for the people I met who helped shape my life…and thanks for the input I have had the honor of rendering to many others.

There are so many more things if space would allow. My country, my church, my friends….

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, thank you for my salvation. It indeed is a marvelous gift from you.

Amen

Written by Rev. Neil Fitchthorn Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.

The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 27, Isaiah 9-12|You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote:“If you can’t be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape.” Anonymous

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Psalm 146:5