God,

This morning, I noticed again the small things I take for granted. A warm blanket to sleep under. A warm well-ordered home. A fire to watch. Hot coffee to taste and smell. A pill for my ailments. A laptop to engage the world. A dog who snuggles beside me. The cold and white light of the refrigerator. Hot water in a shower. A sharp blade for a shave. All are small things before I even see another face. I open up your Scripture, and read your words of love for me, the story of your love for my whole human family. I am grateful. And then, there are the even more basic blessings. The breath pours into my lungs and out again. If I pay attention, I can feel my heart beating. My brain tells my hands to move, and they do so. My mind can make sense of the words on a page, the stimuli that surround me. When I stop to think, it is all overwhelming. How amazing you are, and how blessed I am to be alive today. Thank you, God, for all of these. Somehow, I know if I can practice gratitude for these, I will notice afresh your blessings all day long. My cup runneth over. Amen.