Daily Blessings

There is a verse in the Bible that says God “daily loadeth us with benefits.”  I like the word loadeth.  It conveys the sense that we are “burdened down” with blessings each day.  Our God is so good and so giving!  From time to time, I find myself taking the blessings of God for granted.  Sometimes they are physical blessings, but other times they are spiritual blessings. 

Several years ago, our family had the opportunity to go to Mexico and visit with some missionary friends.  They lived high in the mountains around Saltillo, and it was rather rustic.  The roads were dirt, and rutted with gigantic potholes.  One of the modern conveniences that they did not have was indoor running water.  I say indoor, but they only had running water of any kind when the town reservoir was opened and allowed to run down the communal pipeline.  It was only turned on twice a week, and one never knew exactly when it would come on, or how long it would run, since it was dependent upon human whim.  The water had to be “caught” in 55 gallon water storage drums, and any washing had to be done while the water was running.

Baths were interesting also.  There was no hot water unless you heated it on the stove.  A large pot (about ten gallons) took about 45 minutes to boil, and then was poured into a large galvanized tub.  Cold water was added until the temperature was bearable, and then you could bathe in the relatively shallow pool.  To be honest, it was a lot of fun—sort of a pioneer adventure.  I greatly admired my friend for her sweet, uncomplaining spirit during the several years they lived in that area.

I suppose it has been six or seven years since that trip, but hardly a day goes by without me thinking about it.  When I get in the shower each morning and turn a knob, hot water comes pouring out.  I do not have to wait until Tuesday or Friday when the water is running—it runs every day.  I do not have to heat water on the stove to bathe—it comes out hot.  Consequently, I thank God every day for hot, running water!  It is one of those daily benefits that God loads upon me.  What “little thing” are you thankful for today?