Compared to people in many places on Earth, we Americans have it pretty easy.
Subsequently, it’s not hard for us to take important things for granted. Think about it: How often do you actually focus on the good and pleasant things in your life (I mean really focus)?
Like our access to food, clothing and shelter.
Sure, it all might be more expensive than not that long ago, but our ability to take advantage of these things is far greater than billions of others around the world.
Like our access to discretionary activities, like entertainment and travel.
Simply put, there are plenty of people who will never set foot in a theme park or get in an RV and roll more than 1,000 miles to a vacation destination.
Like our access to medical services.
OK, so I’d say that some Americans go a bit overboard with this, but the fact is they can do so if they wish while most people on the planet only wish they could see a doctor or make a short trip to a hospital.
Like our access to a climate-controlled living space.
Can you imagine how envious people living in thatch-roofed huts must be of our virtual palaces that have heating and air conditioning systems?
Like our access to running water.
We should be very, very happy that we don’t have to walk two miles to get water from a well or stream. Not only that, our water can be cold or hot at our whim, and we can take a shower or bath at our discretion.
Like machines that keep our clothing or dishes clean.
That’s a manual chore in lots of places, while we can just “turn on the washer” before we go to bed.
Like comfy beds.
Yeah, speaking of beds, the ones we lie down in beat the heck out of anything a lot of people will ever experience.
Anyway, there is more than goods and services to be cognizant of when it comes to avoiding taking things for granted.
Like (especially importantly) our spouses.
This is one entry in the list where I’m going to say the rest of the world isn’t behind, and in fact, might be ahead.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
Amen to that. My wife is a gift from the Lord, and I sometimes lose sight of that and neglect appreciating what she does – and the fact she would even bother putting up with any man, let alone me.
But seriously, there are numerous Bible verses that deal with appreciation, forgiveness, love and many other aspects of not taking something or someone in our lives for granted. God recently brought an awareness of this subject to me, and I’m glad He opened my eyes to it.
It’s all about remaining steadfast in a belief that everything originates with God, recognizing that we’re undeserving recipients of His mercy and grace, and respecting His authority and sovereignty.
None of that should be taken for granted.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.