For What You’ve Got

By Sompong Yusoontorn

The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been

surrounded by friends.

The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed. 

The clothes that fit a littletoo snug because it means

I have enough to eat.

My shadow who watches me work because it means

I am out in the sunshine.

A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning andgutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

All the complaining I hear aboutour government because it means

we have freedom of speech.

The space I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

My huge heating bill becauseit means I am warm.

The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it

means that I can hear.

The piles of laundry andironing because it means

I have clothes to wear. 

Weariness andaching musclesat the end of the

day because itmeans I have

been productive.

Getting too much emailbogs me down but at

least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.

The alarm that goes off in theearly morning hours because

it means that I'm alive.

Even though I clutch myblanket and growl when

the alarm rings, thank you,Lord, that I can hear. There

are many who are deaf. 

Even though I keep my eyes closedagainst the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that

I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are

many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burnedand tempers are short, thank you, Lord, forMy family. There are many who are lonely. 

Even though our breakfast table neverlooks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced,thank you, Lord, for the food we have.

There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often ishard, thank you, Lord, for the opportunityto work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fatefrom day to day and wish my circumstances

were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.

Thank You Very MuchSompong Yusoontorn