20 Simple Reasons I’m Grateful Today

I don’t know your situation, but I suspect many of us have all kinds of reasons to say “Thank you” to God before we go any further into the day. Here are some basic reasons I’m thankful today: 

1. I woke up this morning. I have life only because God continues to grant it.
2. I am a follower of Christ. I wasn’t always, and I am today only because God loved me and sent His Son to die for me while I was yet a sinner.
3. I was able to get out of bed this morning. Not everyone has that physical ability.  
4. I woke up with a spouse who loves me. She loves me with a love I don’t understand.
5. I have young adults who love me like a dad and children who love me like a granddad. God hasn’t given us biological children, but He’s granted me relationships that are incredibly sweet.
6. I can serve God freely. That privilege may not last many more generations (and it’s non-existent for many global believers today), so I must be thankful.
7. I have a roof over my head. I don’t have to drive far from my home to find others who are not so fortunate.
8. I have hot water. We take it for granted, but clean, running, hot water is not automatic around the world.
9. I have heat and air conditioning. Neither is necessary, and both are a blessing.
10. I have multiple changes of clothing. In fact, it says something about my blessedness (and perhaps my excess) that I have to spend time each day trying to decide what to wear.
11. I have food in our refrigerator. Combine that food with the food in our pantry, and I actually have more food than some people will eat all week.
12. I have the entire Bible in my language and in my hands. Billions of people have no such blessing.  
13. I can read that Bible. I don’t think much about the gift of reading until I meet others who’ve had little opportunity to learn.
14. I have a job. I may not always enjoy every aspect of it, but I’m employed. That’s God’s grace.
15. I have a car. It’s older, but it gets me where I need to go. Having transportation may be the norm in our culture, but it’s still God’s gift.  
16. I have gasoline in my car. That, too, is only because God has been good to me.
17. I have money to buy lunch and dinner. I’ve never worried about having sufficient funds to eat. To eat out, even. 
18. I have a church family. I wish all the believers around the world could gather with my brothers and sisters at Restoration Church in Wake Forest.
19. I can live today without fear of death. Even if the Lord calls me home today, all is well.
20. I serve a God who is sovereign. He’s not an idol made with human hands; He’s the one who made me and holds me in His hands.

How can I not say “Thank You” right now?