My feet hit the floor Friday morning (although at an ungodly hour… which I’ll explain in a second) and carried me to the kitchen. My lungs took in air and pushed it out all with little effort or thought and I was able to use my hands to pour creamer into a pretty ceramic steaming mug of coffee and inhale the warmth and much needed caffeine. Some less fortunate don’t have these same pleasures.

All these things happened again on Saturday and Sunday and low and behold, today too.

Often we think of moving and talking, listening and feeling, inhaling and exhaling as such small things because we take them for granted but they are among the biggest gifts God grants us everyday. Just ask someone who’s down how much the simplicity of walking across the room unassisted means.

Years ago when I joined the husband in wedlock I also unknowingly volunteered to take his place in the Black Friday festivities with his sisters– you know when it actually started on Friday? Their tradition was to go out in the wee hours, armed with coffee and sales papers, score a deal here and there, marvel at the crowds, cross a few things off their lists, stop by the Olive Garden to laugh their way through lunch at 11 AM because they were exhausted and venture back home way before the sun set.

And so the tradition continues… breath and strength prevailed. Along with cats in Santa hats and cute paper…

It’s our unofficial ushering in of the Christmas season and I wouldn’t miss it for the world especially since last year’s festivities were rough for me. My mama was down sick. My uncle was suffering with heart issues. Family friends had died. Health was at the top of my wish list for most all of my loved ones.

I grieved not only for the physical ailments keeping my people down and the powerless stance I had in trying to put up a strong front for it all it but also for a lost spirit of joy. I just couldn’t conjure it up in light of the circumstances surrounding me. But I was missing one important key…

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10

So this year I will not forget to give praise to my maker for breath and life. Strength and peace. Answered prayers and restored joy.

I might feel weak at times but He is definitely stronger.

What’s the one thing you take for granted that you need to remember to thank God for?

♥

{Are your praises multiplying? Mine sure are! Click here for more ideas…}