⁶ Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 

Romans 14:6

Dear God, I was looking at the verses around Bible Gateway’s “verse of the day” today (Romans 14:11), and I came across this line from Paul in verse 6. I was convicted. More often than not, when I am eating I do not give thanks to you for the food. I completely take it for granted that any amount of food I want is accessible to me any time I want it. The same is true for other things in my life.

• My wife is amazing. Even though I try to not take her for granted, I know I do. I know I’m not nearly as grateful to you for her as I should be.
• My home is terrific. As I heard the thunderstorm roll through at three o’clock this morning, I smiled. I was grateful for the rain, but I had zero fears of how a storm would negatively impact me. I knew my house would keep me safe from anything up to and including hail. Tornadoes were unlikely, so I wasn’t worried about that. And while an unlikely lightning strike could burn my house down, I never even worried about that.
• Right now, I have a job that is pretty secure. I mean, anything can happen, but we are financially stable, and I do not wake up worried about my paycheck or if enough money will come to me on payday.
• My wife and children and I are all healthy. This is huge, and probably the most fragile part of my life. It’s the part that could go South the easiest. But here I am, not worrying about these things when I wake up in the morning. We are healthy and safe.

I could probably go on and on, but my lack of conscious gratitude to you for the food I eat and the air I am able to breathe today is terrible. I am ashamed of myself right now.

Father, thank you for my daily bread. Help me to appreciate every morsel of food or drink that comes into my body. Help me to appreciate a body that processes it for energy and then service for you. Help me to appreciate the people you put in my life. And when I say help me, I’m not saying I want you to take these things away from me. Frankly, I’m too selfish for that. But I guess what I’m saying is that I really do feel convicted I’m not more grateful for the amazing life you’ve given to me. Give me the wisdom to use it how you would have me use it for your glory.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen