This morning, NPR reported the astronauts onboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavor will undock from the International Space Station and return to earth.
While on their mission, the article said the crew “conducted a series of spacewalks installing solar panels to upgrade the station’s powergrid, grew the first green chile peppers in space (and made tacos!) and even hosted a private Russian film crew.”
There is much for these four remarkable people to be proud of.
Sadly, what most people will remember about this epic adventure in space is the SpaceX capsule has no working toilet, which means the astronauts will spend over twenty hours wearing diapers.
This got me thinking.
I am certain out of everything that could possibly go wrong on a complex flight to space, the very last thing anyone thought about was a broken toilet. Most would have simply taken for granted the “onboard waste management system” would effectively do its job.
Little things are a blessing. Never take them for granted.
This lesson became very clear for me this past February when we lost power and water as the temperatures dropped into incredibly cold territory. Those were miserable days when I missed the little things like heat, water, electricity, functioning toilets, the list goes on and on….
As those wretched, cold days dragged on, I worried our generator would run out of fuel, as I trudged out into frozen pastures, carrying a sledge hammer, to break the ice on the tanks so the cows could drink. I decided never to take little things for granted.
This morning, the fact that you got out of bed, had food to eat, live in a safe community, and enjoy freedoms that most in the world will never experience, take a moment to give God thanks for the little things.
This is what Paul meant by saying, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Living a life of gratitude puts everything in its proper perspective. The little things in life are blessings we should not take for granted.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, open my eyes so I can see how truly blessed I am. Fill my heart with gratitude, my mind with wisdom, and my mouth with praise. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
As you deal with the challenges of this new day, remember, it could be worse. You could be sitting in a cramped space capsule wearing a diaper.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 