Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "gratitude"

I'm thankful that my family and I have been blessed with this great land in which we live. Our lifestyle is among the best in the world. But, apparently, not everyone feels the same way. I once saw a bumper sticker that said, "It's called the American Dream because it's only real when you're sleeping." I know that's not true because I'm living it right now. However, I'm so goal oriented that I sometimes forget I've arrived. I keep longing for that next big step in life (at the moment that would be my complete retirement from work) without thinking about how lucky I am to be where I am today.



Myself and many others are in this enviable situation; a wonderful family, a modest but nice home, a good job, solid transportation, etc... Our standard of living is so great that we don't even realize how rich we are. And, who should we thank for all this? Not ourselves, certainly. I know I've bungled my way through life only to arrive exactly where I want to be. No, it is God who has provided for me and my family in an amazing way, for "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10, NIV1984). If you knew my whole story, which you never will, you would see how obvious it is that He is the One. Thank you Lord for all that you've given such an undeserving guy like me.

If you're like me, take a moment to appreciate all that you have and then thank the One who made it possible.