As I was sitting and reading Exodus, I couldn’t stop thinking about how many times God blessed the Israelites even when they were ungrateful. It reminded me of me, us, today, how often we complain or overlook the very blessings right in front of us.
Not long ago, I was watching a Joyce Meyer video, and she said something that really stuck with me. She talked about how there are people in other countries who have to walk miles just to get water. And it’s not clean, safe water like what we’re used to, it’s dirty water. That comment really hit me. I’m no expert, but from watching shows like “Alone”, I know that water like that has to be boiled before drinking. And even then, it’s still risky. Joyce went on to share how some people even lose their lives just trying to get water because there are alligators or other dangers along the way.
I sat there, really letting that sink in. Imagine risking your life just to drink water, everyday, something so simple, something we don’t even think twice about. Meanwhile, we get to wake up, walk a few steps to our kitchen, and pour ourselves a glass of clean, filtered water straight from the fridge. If we choose to drink from the faucet, it’s still safe. We have ice makers, water bottles, and fancy dispensers, yet how often do we pause to say, “Thank You, Lord, for this”?
Joyce’s words opened my eyes. We live in a world where convenience is normal. Our struggles aren’t about finding water, they’re about whether our coffee order got messed up or if our internet is running slow. And in the middle of that, we forget just how blessed we really are.
The Israelites did the same thing. They witnessed miracle after miracle, God parting the Red Sea, sending manna from heaven, providing water from a rock, yet they still complained. Reading about them, it’s easy to think, “Wow, how could they not see how good they had it?” But then I have to stop and ask myself, “How often do I do the exact same thing?” We forget that the blessings we enjoy today were once things we prayed for. We prayed for our homes, our families, our jobs, and our health. Then, over time, we start to overlook those answered prayers and focus on what we don’t have yet.
That video was a heart check for me. It made me pause and really think about the small things, the small things I rarely thank God for. Clean water. A warm bed. Food in the fridge. Safety when I leave my house. These might seem ordinary, but they are blessings. It’s humbling to realize how easy it is to slip into ungratefulness. Just like the Israelites, we can become so focused on what we want next that we forget to praise God for what we already have.
Today, I’m reminding myself, and you, to slow down and notice those everyday blessings. Let’s not wait until something is taken away to realize its value, because as humans that’s how we tend to work.
Sometimes, we don’t even know where to start when it comes to thanking God. Life gets busy, our minds get cluttered, and we forget that gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. But if you’ve been struggling with how to express your thanks or you simply don’t know what to say, you can pray this simple prayer below. Let it be your starting point as you open your heart to Him:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the blessings You’ve given me, both, the ones I notice and the ones I’ve overlooked. Forgive me for the times I’ve complained or let my heart grow ungrateful. Help me to see Your goodness in the small, everyday things. Teach me to pause and truly appreciate the clean water I drink, the food on my table, the roof over my head, and the safety I experience each day. Thank You for Your patience with me, Lord. I don’t want to take Your gifts for granted. From this moment on, help me to live with a grateful heart and to always give You the praise You deserve.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Take a moment to think about this. What is one everyday blessing you’ve been overlooking lately that you want to start thanking God for today?Share it in the comments, your answer might inspire someone else to see their own blessings in a new light.
Holy mess 