After traveling to Ethiopia, I learned that I am surrounded by things that I take for granted everyday. I decided to make a list, lest I forget to be grateful. In the interest of fairness, there were also some wonderful things there that we don't have here.
When I flip a switch, there is light
When I turn on a faucet water comes out, and many times it is hot and it has good pressure
I can go to Wal-Mart and get a vacuum, and bags that fit it
I can buy milk that doesn't make me sick
I only have to wash my lettuce once, with tap water
I have a car in my garage, attached to my house
I drive on paved roads, in Idaho
My mail is delivered to my house
There are traffic lights to keep other cars from hitting me
Crosswalks
Clean air
I can stay at a hotel without having my car searched by a man with an AK-47
I don't have to haggle over prices
There is toilet paper in the public restrooms, there are public restrooms
There are public garbage cans, and we don't burn them (at least not in town)
I can find amazing food four blocks from my house all year long
State of the art medical care
In Ethiopia I was greatful for:
The doors and windows can be open all the time, and it is still 75
There are always people around, guards, house cleaners, neighbors walking by
Great coffee
No seat belts
Music everywhere, all the time
No problem
Everything you need is in walking distance
The churches are beautiful, with stained glass windows and everything
The flowers are beautiful all year long
School uniforms even in public school
No college tuition
Things move more slowly
Great popcorn
Full body massage for $20, complete with foot wash in rose water
We are so blessed in so many ways. We have such amazing luxury. It is such a wonderful gift, I just hope that we aren't so busy that we forget to stop and be amazed at the wonders all around us.
Life in a small town with a large family. Trying to put God on display.
1 comment:
Tell me about it. Those are just things we take for granted. And for one person that has never been in a third world country, let alone Africa just cannot imagine.
I too have been thinking about Africa so much lately. That is proabably why my dishwasher is still not working since I returned from ET, my washmachine need manually moved each time the next cycle approaches and our toilet is messed up. But really there is nothing to complain about when you have running water every day to drink and can take a shower when you please without having the water just stop.
So thankful.
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