Daily Loaded With Blessings

"Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father 'daily loadeth us with benefits' (Psalm 68:19). Think of some of the common things which are nevertheless wonderful:
- the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily and silently taking in fresh air eighteen to twenty times a minute;
- the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the labyrinth of blood vessels;
- the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;
- the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so much as to destroy human and animal life;
- the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans accordingly;
- the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;
- the beauties of each day - the morning star and growing light of sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;
- the symphony of early morning bird songs, ranging from the unmusical trill of the chipping sparrow to the lilting ectasy of the goldfinch and the calm, rich, bell-like tones of the wood and hermit thrushes;
- the refreshment that sleep brings;
- the simple joys of home - the children's laughter and whimsical remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together in praise to God.
All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him 'who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth they mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's' (Psalm 103:4,5)
'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness' (Lamentations 3:22,23).'
'It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High' (Psalm 92:1)."

-- From "Keep A Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot (the list was compiled by her father)