On being Grateful and being Blessed

There's a handful of books I have read about being sincerely grateful on the things that you have. Aside from my daily bread (God's words), I find it really helpful in having a content and happy life. I even get more blessings whenever I give appreciation to the things that I have. I am not rich and our family continuously experience financial crisis. Who doesn't? But I am not here to blame anyone. In spite of these hardships, I am still saying my gratitude.

There are instances that I'm having hard time looking for reasons why I should still be thankful. I'm almost on the verge of giving up and say, life is unfair because I want this, but I cannot have this...etcetera etcetera.. BUT I know I will never say these cruel complains.

The reason why I came up with this post today is because I just finished one book about a North Korean man who found his will and courage to escape from one of prison camps in North Korea, the Camp 14. Along with reading this book, I constantly remember the story of a young girl named Anne Frank who kept a diary during World War II. She's one of the reasons why I've been fond of reading books and writing as well. Going back with my recently read book, I am not going to attempt giving a review about it, but what I want to share is my realization about blessed I am. How I am lucky I was born in the Philippines, how gifted I am to have two loving parents, how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work and provide for my family, how blessed I am to have loyal friends and an exceptionally understanding and cute boyfriend. Aside from all the I's, I became socially aware how horrible this North Korean government is. Right now, I am waiting for another book to arrive, entitled "Nothing to Envy". I've heard about this book before "Escape from Camp 14", but I was having hard time finding it in our local bookstores. So yeah, I'm thankful there's this bookdepository.com. I pray for the lives of these north koreans and hope that in God's perfect time, they'll see this light that they've been searching for a long time. And hopefully, I get the chance to help them..even in my own little way. I'm also thankful that there's this Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) to help them as well, or be an instrument to help the korean defectors or refugees who have escaped from North Korea :)

In line with this, I also encourage you, whoever you are who might have accidentally read my blog to share a little of your blessing to atleast one child to be sent to a school. I tell you, the joy of reading and hearing gratitude from a child or a child's parent about how you might have helped them is priceless. This one started when my father sponsored a child years ago. We were so glad to know that his sponsored child has already graduated. If you're interested or someone you know is, click this link and may God bless you more. :)

Here's a poem that I've read during elementary and I still keep a copy of that piece of paper along with the hand written letters from my dear friends. Whenever I see that piece of paper, my heart skips a beat because of the happiness I feel for everything I have.

Lord Forgive Me When I Whine
Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair,
I envied her…She seemed so gay….and wished I were as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one leg and wore a crutch;
But as she passed….a smile!
Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine, I have two legs.
The world is mine!
I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him. He seemed so glad. If I were late ‘twould do no harm.
And as I left he said to me, "Thank you. You have been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I’m blind".
Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes.
The world is mine.
Later, while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes so blue.
He stood and watched the others play. He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don’t you join the others, dear"?
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine. I have two ears.
The world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go, With eyes to see the sunset’s glow,
With ears to hear what I would know…Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine.
I’m blessed indeed. The world is mine.

Author Unknown


PS. Everything we have, we owe it to HIM. I think giving something back wouldn't be bad at all.