Being Thankful for Everyday Things

For the last several weeks, our water heater has been acting up a lot, and we have had quite a few days without consistent hot water.  This problem has presented a number of issues for us, including washing our dishes in hot water and taking hot showers.  We have tried many solutions, but nothing has quite solved the problem yet.  It may be that we will need to just purchase a new water heater, but we are exploring repair options first.       

Admittedly, this situation has taken us out of our normal Western comfort zone when it comes to hot water.  However, I have decided that it really isn’t the end of the world, and I am going to be grateful that I have clean water. 

I was reminded of how much many of us are blessed here in the United States when I recently came across a video about “First World Problems read by Third World People.”  The video is really a great reminder to most of us in the developed world who have so much that many of the “problems” that we encounter and get frustrated about really are not that big of a deal.  There are many around the world right now who are blessed if they just have enough food, clean water, and shelter for that day. 

My goal as I write this is not to give you a guilt trip, but to remind us all (including myself) to be thankful for everything we have, to live lightly, and to give to others as we can.  This can certainly be financially, but it can also be our time, our service, and our prayers.  We are all connected and are part of one human race.  It can be easy to forget that when we get caught up in the busyness of our own lives and in our own cultures.

It looks like we may soon be on the verge of getting our water heater problems fixed, but our “water heater incident” has been a great reminder for me to have gratitude for what I have.   

What about you?  Have you had any “water heater incidents" in your life recently?  How can those of us living in the “First World” focus more on gratitude when we face “First World Problems?”