“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:1-2

Having spent most of my life in Kenya, I had been in the United States for less than a year when I asked a friend to take me to look for a car for my family. We shopped until way past lunchtime, and at about 3:00 p.m., we decided to take a break and eat at a place where chicken meals were sold. The good smell and the appetizing presentation of the food were beyond my imagination.

Chicken in Kenya was very expensive and many people could hardly afford it. It was surreal to be sitting in that restaurant which was extraordinary to me but so common in the States. I enjoyed every bite with an intensity words cannot describe. But before I cleared my plate, I noticed a hair. I wanted to just put the hair aside and continue with my lunch. However, my friend saw it and immediately asked for the manager and showed him the hair in my almost-finished food. The manager was so apologetic, and spoke the most heartwarming words of the day, “I will give you another plate of food. We are sorry for the hair.” I was not sorry for the hair; I thanked God for it!

On reflection, I have thought of the many situations where we focus on trivial inconveniences and overlook the blessings that might be disguised. We complain about a rainy day at the expense of thanking God for the food that will be harvested as a result of the rain. We complain about our jobs instead of thanking God for our employment. We complain about what we do not have instead of thanking God for what we do have.

Having an attitude of gratitude is a choice we make as individuals. You can choose to see the “hairs” in your life or the extra plates of blessings you get because of them. You do better when you choose to bless the Lord and forget not the second helping that you may get at no extra charge. Think of the clean water or of the fact that you may not have to worry about your next meal or your family or your health. And do not forget that if you are reading this, you have been blessed with another day that many people did not live to see.