The Power of Gratitude in the Small Things

I read this article in Word for Today, and it made me think about the importance of Gratitude.
 
Breathing is something most of us never think about. It’s automatic, constant, and happens around twenty-three thousand times a day. Yet this simple act is one of the most complex physiological processes in the body, sustaining every moment of our existence.
 
We often thank God, or life itself, for the big moments that take our breath away, special celebrations, achievements, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
 
But how often do we pause to give thanks for the ordinary breaths, the quiet, everyday moments that sustain us and shape the rhythm of our lives?
 
This perspective was brought powerfully to life by Pastor Ed Dobson, who in 2000 was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a degenerative illness with no known cause or cure.
 
Rather than letting despair define him, Dobson chose to share his honest journey of learning to live with gratitude, even in the midst of his decline.
 
Here is his story in his own words:
 
“There are many things for which I am not grateful. I can no longer button my shirt, put on a heavy jacket, or raise my right hand above my head.
 
I can no longer write or eat with my right hand. I now eat with my left, and even that is becoming a challenge. Over time, these difficulties will get worse.
 
So, what in the world do I have to be grateful for?
 
So much. Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning, for being able to turn over in bed, to get out of bed, to walk to the bathroom, to brush my teeth, to eat breakfast, to dress myself, to drive my car, to walk, to talk.
 
The list goes on. I have learned to focus on what I can do, not on what I can’t. I have learned to be grateful for the small things in life and for the many things I can still do.”
 
Dobson’s words are a moving reminder that gratitude is not about ignoring pain or pretending that challenges don’t exist. Instead, it is about choosing to focus on what remains possible, even in the face of great difficulty.
 
His message offers powerful lessons for all of us, whether or not we are dealing with illness.
 
 
3 Key Learnings from Ed Dobson’s Story
 
1. Gratitude shifts focus from loss to possibility.
 
It’s easy to dwell on what we can’t do, the opportunities lost, or the struggles that weigh us down. But gratitude invites us to notice the abilities and blessings that remain, however small they may seem. This shift in focus doesn’t remove the hardship, but it transforms our perspective and gives us the strength to carry on.
 
2. Small things are not small at all.
 
Being able to turn over in bed, brush your teeth, or walk across a room may seem ordinary, even trivial, until the moment those abilities are threatened. Dobson’s reflections remind us that the so-called “small things” in life are actually extraordinary gifts we should never take for granted.
 
3. Gratitude is a daily practice, not a one-time choice.
 
Dobson didn’t write his list of thanks once and then move on. His gratitude was a discipline, a conscious practice of noticing what he could still do each day. Gratitude grows stronger the more often we choose it, and it becomes a well we can draw on in difficult seasons. 
 
Thoughts for the week. 

1. What simple, everyday abilities do you usually overlook but could begin to be thankful for?
2. When challenges arise, do you tend to focus more on what’s been lost or what is still possible?
3. How could you build a habit of gratitude into your daily routine, perhaps through journaling, prayer, or quiet reflection?
4. Who in your life could benefit from hearing your gratitude expressed today? 

Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship, but it reframes it. By learning to give thanks for each ordinary breath, each small ability, and each moment of connection, we can discover a resilience that carries us through even the hardest of days. 
 
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and be grateful.
 
Warm regards

John


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