It's easy to get confused. I start thinking some things in my life, that are blessings, or grace - are deserved, needed, etc. So today I'm reminding myself of 13 things that I tend to take for granted, and shouldn't.


#1 Salvation - Sometimes I take for granted that He picked me, paid my penalty.

#2 My health. Waking up in the morning, getting out of bed by myself, having eyesight, hearing, speech, memory. The only medication I take is an advil here and there. I take it for granted. I also take for granted that it will last forever with no effort on my part.

#3 Freedom. The freedom to worship, vote, work, move about my country, etc. etc. etc.

#4 That many men and women are, right this minute, protecting my freedom. I have never had to sacrifice a single family member to have this protection. Many have, and will.

#5 My husband's job; his ability to provide for us. One of my dear friends' husband was laid off two weeks ago with no notice. They are worrying over the mortgage, utility bills, etc.

#6 My marriage. It's strong. We're good. The best marriage still needs some maintenance, and sometimes I forget that and don't give it the attention it needs.

#7 Electricity. We lose power often here in the East, and when it goes out I am amazed at all the things that don't work.

#8 Forgiveness from those I love. When I blow it, again; when I hurt someone; when I disappoint someone - I assume they will forgive me. Again. Then when it's my turn, I forget those times others forgave me, again.

#9 Joy. It's only when life is so difficult, overwhelming, that I remember what the days feel like when it's not. When it's one of those days when I drive down the street, with the windows rolled down, and the music playing, singing along - I take those days for granted when they're there.

#10 Being able to be a Proverbs 31 woman, as far as "bringing my food from afar." I completely take for granted being able to go to Giant Eagle and buy anything I want. I forget those years when I lived in a town of 1750 people in North Dakota and the grocery store had 3 aisles. Now I tend to get annoyed that the store is so big and takes so long to go through.

#11 My parents, who are getting older. I don't call them often enough. Don't go see them often enough. Don't tell them I love them often enough. No amount is enough. I need to do it more.

#12 Our children, their spouses, our grandchildren. They are each a gift, undeserved. We love each other, get along well for a family. Holidays are not something we all dread. I forget that others don't have that situation, that it's a blessing.

#13 Scripture - I have truly 6 or more Bibles. We have friends in our church who go to countries where they have no Scripture, or get arrested if they are caught with it. I can quote verses here and there, but rarely get the book, chapter and verse here. I wonder if I thought I would have no access to it all of a sudden, would I spend more time in it?

Sadly, there are a number of other things I could add to this list. Even if it's for one day, I plan to be more aware of grace and mercy extended to me - in the big and little things of life. To not take them for granted.