14…appreciate

This morning my alarm sounded and (not so cheerfully) notified me it was time to get out of bed at 7:00 am. I lied in bed for a few minutes, squinting at the updates on my phone…blogs, emails, bible verses, etc…before begrudgingly admitting I had to get up. When my bladder could take it no longer I all but sprinted to the bathroom where I was greeted by the smell of lavender and vanilla (Thank you, Air Wick). I used water from my sink to brush my teeth and then took my anxious puppy to go outside to do his business. While waiting I put a pot of water on the stove to heat my oatmeal for the morning. I walked back up to my room to get dressed for my Zumba class and discovered Henry had taken care of business on my comforter. I disciplined my pup like any good mom would…and took my comforter downstairs and angrily shoved it in the washing machine (or “washer machine” whichever you prefer.) 

After that was taken care of I decided to paint my nails so they could dry as I taught (brilliant, right?)…so I painted and then rushed out the door to head to Zumba class.

Fine. I’ll stop. The details of my daily life are not that exciting, I know. The abridged version of my morning…

Zumba. (Teach, sweat, scream, dance.)

Bank. (Deposit, get cash.)

Target. (Buy oh-so-yummy hunter green and gray sweaters and cashews[lunch, duh.])

Nuance Salon. (Because my bangs were beginning to look like the start of a mane.)

Nana’s. (Car Swap.)

Home. (Fun fetti cup cakes. Walk dogs. Read. Unload dishwasher. Again.)

Shower. (It’s about time, right? …I know…smelly and frumpy.)

All this to say…sounds pretty easy-going, right? Well that’s because it was. And it usually is…especially in the big scheme of things.

Our generation has often been described as one of…brace yourself….ready?…alright…entitlement.

I know. It’s harsh…but guess what? Those after us have it even worse. Doesn’t that make you feel better?

“Hi. I’m Sally. I’m five. I want a cell phone because…well…because I do. More than that…I deserve it because I want it and I’m me so of course, I deserve it. All my friends have one too.”

If you could see me, I’d be shaking my head.

Entitled. Do you have the fever? Do you walk through your day with a total lack of appreciation for the incredible blessings that are poured out every. single. day. for. you?

I do…a lot. I find myself going hours without ever truly saying thank you. Sometimes when I am going through something tough even days will go by without a word of appreciation that is spoken from the heart.

I’m complaining about the guy cutting me off while I’m driving in my car to do something leisurely probably therapy or see a friend or sit in my Nana’s deliciously cozy house. Something for me.

When I was in Africa (that’s not as cliche as “One time, at bad camp” yet is it? …I hope not. It shouldn’t be. Anyways…) one of my favorites, the one boy I really bonded with asked me one day…

“do you have a computer? …do you have a car? …do you have an airplane?”

Wealth. 

It can come in all shapes and sizes.

But there is one form of wealth that is a one size fits all. I’m not talking about the Double X L kind where it might be a little snug if you’re on the XXXL size or it may swallow you whole if you’re a smaller person.

Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Salvation. 

Fit like a glove every. single. time.

You are blessed beyond comprehension, friend.

Don’t mistake luxury for goodness…or goodness for luxury. 

Simply…appreciate. 

Appreciate that your life does not hang in the air in the unknown. 

Appreciate that there are mercies new every morning.

Appreciate that you have water.

That you have clean water.

That you can go to Target and pick up clothes or food.

Fresh food. Processed food. Sweet food. Salty food.

That when it gets cold in a few weeks…you won’t be shivering.

Appreciate what you’ve been given.

Don’t let twenty-somethings be a time when you get so caught up in career or the next big thing that you miss it.

That you miss that you…are richly blessed.

Life…unimaginable life.