A few days ago it was raining heavily in Colombo with deafening thunder. My daughter who is seven years old wanted me to snuggle her as she is very frightened of thunder. I snuggled her on the bed and was praying invoking the power of God.
While saying the prayer I was thinking to myself about the peoples of Syria, Palestine, Iraq etc were experiencing deafening sounds too. The difference was the thunder would cease and the chances of lightening killing anyone was slim – but the people experiencing bombarment do not know when it will cease and if they will live through it. I am sure that this is notthing new since we all know what is happening in these countries and the misery suffered by the victims of war.
What most of us fail to realize or take for granted is that how grateful we should be for the opportunities that we enjoy. The fact that we can live in our own houses, without fear, enjoy our own food and fall asleep peacefully. These are things that the rest of the world takes for granted while in war zones it is only a far fetched dream.
What I am trying to share is that we should appreciate, value and be grateful for every little blessing that we enjoy. Please stop complaining, feeling bitter, frustrated and hopeless. Each day concentrate on the things you have and give thanks to God because it is not mine or your achievement that has brought success but God's limitless mercy.
A man who does not fail to see the beauty of life even when everything around him is falling apart and is still hopeful of God's mercy has truly achieved something very special and will survive the most difficult circumstances..