I CAN SEE!
Slowly awakening, I blinked my eyelids as my vision adjusted to the grayish light. Suddenly, I jolted upright, shook my wife and shouted, "Linda, I can see! I can see!" Opening her eyes, she replied, "So can I! It's beautiful!" Of course none of that actually happened, for one simple reason. Both of us can see each morning when we awaken. Viewing a majestic sunrise or my wife's beautiful face each morning, truthfully isn't quite as significant as a bag of gold dropping from the sky, because it's the norm.
But...I have a friend who's totally blind. He's never witnessed a sunrise or seen a baby's smile. What do you suppose would happen if he woke up this morning and could see? Would it be a big deal? How would he react? I would fully expect him to run around his house screaming, "I can see! I can see!"
How often do we fail to appreciate the simple blessings of life? Being able to see and hear. Having food to eat and an abode we call "home." The freedom to speak our minds and worship God without fear of arrest. How many people on this planet would trade places with most of us? A blind billionaire would probably give away all he possesses for the gift of sight. Yet most of us who are blessed to see the world around us, think very little of it.
Please don't feel guilty. Feel grateful. The simple blessings of life are perhaps some of the greatest. Six times in Ecclesiastes, Solomon urges us to appreciate these simple blessings. "God wants all people to eat and drink and be happy in their work, which are gifts from God" (3:13). Food, drink, work. Add to that the companionship of a spouse (9:9). All simple blessings. Not the pursuit of wealth or fame or pleasure. Sure, enjoy the "goodies" of this world, if God blesses us with them (I Timothy 6:17). But let's start by appreciating life's simple blessings. Consider that tomorrow morning as we awaken and view the early light . Feel free to shout out loud (or at least in your mind), "I can see!"
Compose a list of the simple blessings of life God bestows on you each day.
How can we value these blessings in a greater way?
Loving Father, fill me with a grateful heart. Help me to pursue life's simple blessings every day.