We have a lot to be thankful for - believe it or not

Many years ago I was prompted to take notice of how I prayed. Too often my prayers were more of a list of requests than they were a time of thanking God.

I got better, but I’m not perfect and sometimes I slip back into that old way of praying. It’s been a little harder than usual this year as we struggle through a pandemic.

We’ve all really been caught up and consumed by the things we don’t have right now. From toilet paper to being able to eat out at our favorite restaurants or attend celebrations, events and family milestones, we’ve missed out on a lot.

We all have been so spoiled and now that things are tougher, it really hasn’t hit many of us just how much we normally have in our life. From the ability to see friends and family as we wish to hundreds of ways to fill our bellies we are so lucky.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t missed a meal since this pandemic started. In fact, I’ve probably had better food and more of it since I’m home more. I should always have being fed at the top of my list of things to be thankful for and I should pray for and help out those who have suddenly had this basic need put in jeopardy as they move through unemployment or reduced earnings.

My wife and I have too many clothes. Too often we buy clothes and shoes because we want them, even when we don’t really need them. I’m ashamed sometimes when I look at how tightly packed our closets have become. I’m not living on the street in a tattered jacket and old dirty jeans but there are people in our community that are in that sort of a bind.

I had a mother and father that loved me and offered a good example of how to work and how to live a life I could be proud of. There are children growing up in broken homes with parents more interested in getting high than providing for their children’s physical and moral needs. That ought to always be way up there on my list as well.

I’ve got so many freedoms that others around the world don’t enjoy. Some of you will argue with me that, because of this pandemic or because of the current president or the president-elect our freedoms are on the decline. I can’t argue that some of the freedom we normally enjoy has been curtailed right now because of this virus. But I’m still so much better off than those being repressed by tyrannical leaders that are dictators, despots and criminals.

We all truly have so much to be thankful for this year — believe it or not.

Karl Terry writes for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at:

[email protected]