We have moved into a really small house in the Villa Linda Miller community that is close to the garbage dump and where our local church is located. The house was in the worse conditions imaginable when we first arrived. It is only 500 sqft. It had no running water, no windows or screens, no toilet, sink, or electricity. It has taken a lot of work to get it so that we can move. We finally moved in on Wednesday. It was a couple of stressful days as we adjusted to all the visitors along with the different living conditions. Our water pump was mal functioning the first couple days so had to shower, do dishes, and flush the toilet else out of a bucket. Even for me, it has been a difficult transition but one we feel the LORD’s guidance in.
I have been in relatively good mood about the whole move. That was until yesterday, the first hot day we spent in the house. We have a metal roof which microwaves the house. I was so hot and sweating and nasty all day and could not shower because our widow maker was broken (shower). I would have had to bucket showered in dirty water. I was frustrated, Elijah was in a bad mood, and Elise was feeling sick. I just had a rotten attitude for the whole afternoon.
That evening I went to a small group in the community from my church that had invited me. It was great to feel welcomed but inside I was still a little bit bitter. Then Susan Ramirez, a leader in our church gave a message on gratitude. As I listened to her talk, I began to feel more and more ashamed of my bad attitude. She lives in the same conditions as I do, if not worse. At any given day there might be 7 -10 people living in her house which is the exact same size as mine which only holds 2.5 people. Yet she kept repeating how she is not grateful to God for all she has. She is belittling herself for not thanking God for food to eat, a place to live, and family that loves her. She thanks God for her legs, her eyes, her ears, he lungs, her heart, her school, her friends, her clothes, etc, etc, etc. You get the point. Then she said, “If God were to not give me anything else the rest of my life, I would still have to spend all my days thanking him for he has already done. I am blessed more than I can ever imagine.” These are words from a girl who makes about $4/day. Her family lost all of the material possessions during Hurricane Mitch. Yet here she is talking about how she doesn’t thank God enough for all she has.
That evening I went to a small group in the community from my church that had invited me. It was great to feel welcomed but inside I was still a little bit bitter. Then Susan Ramirez, a leader in our church gave a message on gratitude. As I listened to her talk, I began to feel more and more ashamed of my bad attitude. She lives in the same conditions as I do, if not worse. At any given day there might be 7 -10 people living in her house which is the exact same size as mine which only holds 2.5 people. Yet she kept repeating how she is not grateful to God for all she has. She is belittling herself for not thanking God for food to eat, a place to live, and family that loves her. She thanks God for her legs, her eyes, her ears, he lungs, her heart, her school, her friends, her clothes, etc, etc, etc. You get the point. Then she said, “If God were to not give me anything else the rest of my life, I would still have to spend all my days thanking him for he has already done. I am blessed more than I can ever imagine.” These are words from a girl who makes about $4/day. Her family lost all of the material possessions during Hurricane Mitch. Yet here she is talking about how she doesn’t thank God enough for all she has.
Which brings me back to me. Statistics say I make more money then 98% of the world. I don’t need to look at those statistics to know I have more than most of the families in the community and the world. Yet I complain because of all I don’t have. I wonder what God thinks about my ungratefulness? I wonder how that makes him feel?
I am sorry if I have taken you for granted Father. I am sorry if I have been ungrateful and spoiled brat these last few days (and years before that). Help me change. Make me painfully aware of all you have given me so that I breathe out thanksgiving. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
