If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

      If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

      If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

      If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.

      If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

      If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare, even in the United States.

      If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

      If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder...you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

      If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

      For the teenager who is not doing dishes but is watching TV, because that means he is at home and not on the streets.

      For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

      For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

      For the clothes that fit a little to snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

      For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

      For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

      For all the complaining that I hear about government, because it means I have freedom of speech.

      For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

      For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

      For the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

      For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

      For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

      For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.