Bless ME, god…

Why do I take so much in my life for granted?
Better question: Why do we take things in our lives for granted so often?

I find it ridiculous sometimes when I reflect on my life how much I take for granted many of the amazing gifts God has put in my life. Relationships, education, money, even simple things like food and shelter.
Not everyone is blessed like I am. I have amazing friends and family. I get to study a subject I love at one of the world’s greatest institutions. I am extremely wealthy by the entire world’s standards. I get to eat pretty much whatever I want, whenever I want. Even during this “homeless” phase of my life, I can still find shelter almost anywhere I like.
Yet I often live like I am unblessed. I treat people I love like crap, like I only love myself. I shrug off my opportunity to learn and succeed in college. I do the minimum amount of work necessary to get by. I don’t pay attention to my finances and waste way too much money. I am a horrible steward. I say a quick obligatory prayer before some meals but rarely actually give thanks for the amazing abundance of food in my life.
Shelter may be the one thing I am beginning to truly appreciate, now that I have at least partially experienced life without it. Perhaps I should fast more. Maybe I should stop spending money altogether. Should I shut myself off from people for a while? What, in fact, is the solution for the other areas?

How can I become a more thankful person? How can I begin to truly appreciate all I have in life? How can I start living in a way that glorifies God through these blessings rather than forsaking God by glorifying the gifts above the Giver?

It starts with prayer. I have found it always does. Anytime I encounter a tough issue in life. It starts with prayer. Sometimes that almost sounds like a cop-out. Maybe it is. Maybe that is me saying I don’t want to put in the effort. But I don’t think so. I think that is me realizing that it doesn’t matter how much effort I put into it. I am still going to fail again when I try it on my own. If I try to make myself be more appreciative, I will probably fall into the trap of pride when I succeed, then guilt when I fail. Yet with prayer, I believe God can mold me and help me live in a spirit of thankfulness and remain humble. I believe that when I start taking things for granted again, God will gently nudge me. Not with guilt, but with reminders of his love. It happens in everything I face. I have no doubt God will work his grace in this area of my life as well. God’s grace replaces our fruitless efforts. Grace, in essence, becomes our efforts for us. It is where our strength to press on again and again comes from. And God’s grace arrives through prayer.
So, please join me in my prayers. Not prayers asking some self-created god to bless me some more. But prayers that the God of grace would take away my selfishness, my complacency, my pride, my guilt. Prayers to increase my gratitude, to live out love, and to refocus my heart. Prayers for all of us to do the same. Thank you.