Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I wonder..

The other day I was standing in line at the grocery story and I overheard the man behind me complaining about having to wait in line...

         






And I couldn't help but to wonder just how often we take our blessings for granted?



























 I began to imagine how  God must feel when He hears us gripe that we have "nothing to wear"...




















and then stand in front of the mirror and whine that "our shoes don't look right with our outfit."


 



We open up the refrigerator door and complain that "there is nothing good to eat"...


And we feel sorry for ourselves because the economy is bad and we are having to 'cut back'...

We grumble that our houses are not big because are children are having to share a room...

And we get grouchy because "we cannot stand what a mess our home is"....
(pictures not my own)


Father forgive us. Open our eyes so that we may see your blessings and show us how to BE a blessing to others.
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37 comments:

  1. ChelseaApril 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    WOW. this was heart breaking and very humbling to read.

    thank you for this. Even though the pictures are hard to look at, they are a sobering reminder of the blessings we're given and still take for granted.

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  2. AnonymousApril 27, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thank you so much for posting this. I shall try to never complain again but so see the positive in my every day, that what I complain about, other people would consider a blessing

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  3. KimApril 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Loved this. Thank you.

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  4. G.M.C.April 28, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Thanks for the sobering reminder.

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  5. Bless by ToneApril 28, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    that's one powerful post! I hope it is ok that I'm sharing it on Facebook. Tone

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  6. JenApril 28, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    Wow. I will definitely go into today with a diferrent perspective, one that focuses on what He wants us to be looking and acting like. Thank you.

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  7. RachaelApril 28, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    A very good reality check.

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  8. Created For His GloryApril 28, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    YES and AMEN!
    Love,
    Kim

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  9. TrustandobeyApril 28, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    So true! I know I am guilty of not seeing and counting my blessings and I really think, as I study history with my children, that God's fingerprints are all over our nation as far as extending His blessings go. We are the wealthiest people on the planet, by God's grace, and yet America is constantly striving for bigger and better and complaining all the way. God has done great things here (in this country) and He expects great things from us in return.

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  10. Chris and SarahApril 28, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    Thanks for the kick in the butt :)

    I was just complaining to my hubby last night about our door that is duct taped to the wall and that is nothing compared to what some people have.

    Thanks!

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  11. DardiApril 28, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    No words. You've said it all...thank you.

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  12. the Bracht familyApril 28, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Hi Amy,
    I linked to your blog through a friend on facebook. you don't me. however, i had to write and say thanks for the very visual reminder that reveals the selfishness in our hearts. perhaps what is more pititful is that my family and i live and serve in a developing country and see abject poverty everyday...and unfortunately can become blind to it. i appreciated your reminder this morning.

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  13. AmberApril 28, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    I almost get physically sick at some of these pictures and I get upset emotionally. This hurts me so badly.

    Thank you for the harsh reminder of reality. Reality is not my reality all the time.

    Hugs and Prayers
    Amber
    I think I will carry this lump in my throat ... I don't know for how long. Maybe forever.

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  14. valerie in TXApril 28, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Thank you, Amy. So much.

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  15. Debbie DoughtyApril 28, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I pray that we will all be moved to action and not just tears & a better attitude.

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  16. ShonniApril 28, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Can’t get my mind of off these precious ones and others...

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  17. Kristin FergusonApril 28, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Speechless...and convicted!

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  18. KellyApril 28, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    oh how I love me some truth... preach it girl!!!!! I think we might be hatched from the same egg... hehe.

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  19. LisaApril 28, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    I linked your post on my blog because it touched my heart. I hope it's OK that I share it....I want to be moved to action, not just tears...

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  20. Katie raynApril 28, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    ditto on the speechless and convicted. Hope not speechless for too long,though. Can't be!

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  21. Intentional Living HomesteadApril 28, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Thank you for this....I linked your post on my blog...hope you don't mind.

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  22. Andrea HillApril 28, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    That is why everyone needs to go on at least a short term mission trip to crazy rock their boat. And even than they don't see any starvation like that. Thank for the convictions you always give your readers. Love you so much.

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  23. DeniseApril 28, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Tears. Thank you.

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  24. robyncalgaryApril 28, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    thank you for this, horrifying, heartbreaking, well said

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  25. woosterweesterApril 28, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    How do you always know when I need to read something like this? I was so frustrated earlier tonight. My husband's job has been incredibly demanding and I was irritated that it in turn it demands so much of ME to pick up all the slack. (Selfish, right?) Thank you for you and for God using this post to reveal my sinful attitude. It's not that life doesn't get hard sometimes, but my response to it was selfish ME ME ME. Instead of being thankful for what I already have!
    Time to go ask the Lord for help and get a new attitude. Thanks.

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  26. LaurelApril 29, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Thank you for this most thought-provoking post.


    Laurel :)

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  27. ChelseaApril 29, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    I featured this post in my weekly surf today!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    have a lovely weekend!

    -Chelsea
    www.usthreebirds.blogspot.com

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  28. ChantelleApril 30, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    awesome, thought provoking post - as always! love ya!

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  29. Pedro and Felis PatlanApril 30, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Totally makes you stop and think....my heart breaks for those children in the pictures...I just wish I could take them all in and nurse them back to health. :( Thanks for posting this...

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  30. "Are These Kids All Yours?"April 30, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    THANK YOU for a powerful reminder. How very spoiled we are.....and how "bad" we have it. My mind has taken in what God has said through you. Processing it....letting it get into my heart.

    Thank you!

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  31. ShonetteApril 30, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Thank you for making me think again. It's been hard here for us, and I know there are people worse than we are. Sometimes God uses others to show us how blessed we are. I posted your blog to my facebook. I hope you don't mind. God bless you!

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  32. CindyMay 2, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Thanks Amy, These pix's with your words really hit my heart with the truth. I really, really like you girl:) Cindy

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  33. TerezaMay 2, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    I don't want to ever complain again!!! Seriously!

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  34. LouinyMay 4, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    Thanx...
    For reminding me.

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  35. Difference2This1May 5, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Humbled.

    Thank you.

    Blessings, Jennifer

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  36. AngieMay 5, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Thank you for sharing what a reminder how hear breaking and Oh MY LORD how it brings you back to reality!

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  37. AdriKrehbielMay 10, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I found your blog the other day and I started to follow it. I just love this post and I would like to link it in my blog! Is that ok? Please let me know!
    Adri krehbiel
    www.krehbielfamily.blogspot.com

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