thankfulness

HI fOLKS,
I have left sin city behind and now over thr border into california but still in the desert so not to much to look at.I have found it hard to shake off the cold which has drained a bit of energy.I reckon i have blown my nose about 10,000 times over the last week.I knew you would find that facinating.

For the first time i am struggling a bit with keeping motivated.It may be the scenary ,the cold and that i am close to the finish but still a way off and need to stay focused on a daily basis as its conter productive to look to far ahead.There are still things on a spiritual and financial level i would like to get a breakthrough in but that is out of my control.

I have been thinking about thankfulness lately,The night before last when i was looking for a place to sleep i found my spot and thought great i get to sleep on dirt tonight not stones like the previous night.It then struck me as funny that i would be happy about a bed of dirt but it was relative and even the bed of stones wasnt that bad as i was so tired i slept well.It was like having acupressure while sleeping.

We do take so many things for granted and so many times dont appreciate our blessings.We talk about thw whinging poms but us aussies are the worst when it comes to complaining. A friend recently was cursing ETSA { the company that services our electricity} because of a blackout and it struck me how everyday we take for granted that we have nearly 100 percent access to it while so many have none or its limited.

I dont think there would be to many who give thanks when they have a hot shower or turn the tv on or the stove to cook ,the heater or air conditioner yet if we have to go a few hours without electricity our world comes crumbling down and how are we going to cope.We are becoming boring wimps and complainers and i am including myself here as i can match it with the worst of them especially when its wet and cold.

Somehow we have to remind ourselves we dont deserve the material blessing we have.We are simply fortunate to be born in developed countries where we have been given so much.To those who are christians we have been given the amazing gift of salvation and of knowing a God who loves us and wants to share Himself with us.Grasping that is another thing but we of all people are most blessed.Amazing grace,undeserved favour.

When i was in Africa i was constantly surprized how happy people were though not having much and not even sure of there next meal.Then arriving back to australia and the land of the long faces.My prayer is that i will learn to appreciate the mny blessings i have been given and to stop focusing on what i dont have.Even when things get a bit tough its a chance to grow and trust the One who cares for us.

Anyway i am getting sidetracked here but i guess sleeping on rocks can teach ya something.Must get back on the road.Appreciate ya prayers to keep going and with a positive attitude and dont forget the 10 dollar challenge.

Hope the Saints win the grand final but i think Geelong will, but i will be in the desert and not see a kick.It could be worse and the Crows playing and then i would be sad about not being able to watch the match.

Bless you all,
Bernie