Simple Blessings

When I arrived back in the United States, following immersion experiences in Mexico and several years later in Nicaragua, one of the first things I relished both times was taking a drink of water...a long, slow drink of water. What a simple blessing: fresh, cold, delicious water!! It was like a newly discovered gift -- to drink water without worrying about getting diarrhea or a disease.

For millions of people around the world, water is not clean, plentiful, and as easily available. Instead, their water is contaminated and frequently scarce.

Ever since those trips, I no longer take the gift of water for granted, as I so easily did prior to seeing how others struggle to live. Now, often when I satisfy my thirst, take a shower, or make a meal, I remember to thank God for the wondrous gift of water.

I wonder why I am blessed when so many others are not. What does my shared humanity and my faith ask of me in response to this? There is much to reflect on with every use and enjoyment of water.

How about you? Are there everyday blessings which you have taken for granted? Are there ways you want to help shape a world where everyone enjoys the same blessings as you?