by Hattie Harrell
A few days ago, my dad and I were talking about gratitude, and I shared something with him that happened recently.
I walked out to my car to go to work, and it wouldn’t start. The battery was completely dead. My first thought was, “Okay, I’ll just order an Uber.” Within five minutes, one pulled into my driveway, and I was on my way to work. As simple as that sounds, I started tearing up. In that moment, I had a flashback to when I lived in Costa Rica.
Life there looked very different. I walked to work every day. I had a little quad that constantly broke down. I didn’t have air conditioning or hot water. I hung my clothes outside to dry. The grocery store was about 30 minutes away. So many of the things I rely on today either weren’t available or took much more time and effort. Standing there waiting for that Uber, I realized how many things I had started taking for granted.
I think sometimes we don’t realize something is a luxury until we’ve lived without it.
Things like air conditioning and heat. Hot water. Reliable transportation. Being able to drive just a few minutes to multiple grocery stores. Having the ability to press a button on our phone and have a ride arrive within minutes.
Those are blessings that many of us experience every day without even thinking about them.
Living in Costa Rica changed my mindset. I remember there were days when life felt difficult, and I had to intentionally search for things to be grateful for. Some days my gratitude sounded like, “I’m thankful for the trees. I’m thankful for the birds. I’m thankful for the fresh air.”
Over time, I realized something.
Gratitude isn’t scarce. It’s abundant. There are always things to be thankful for. Sometimes we just have to slow down to notice them.
When I came back to America, I didn’t just come home with memories. I came home with a new perspective.
Now, when I turn on the air conditioning, drive to the grocery store, take a hot shower, or call an Uber, I don’t just see convenience anymore. I see blessings.
And that perspective has strengthened my faith. I see all of these things as incredible gifts from God. Every good thing reminds me of His provision, His kindness, and His generosity.
Yesterday, as we celebrated the Fourth of July, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for the freedoms we enjoy, but for the countless blessings that surround us every single day in this beautiful country we get to call home.
My time in Costa Rica didn’t just teach me how to live with less. It taught me how to appreciate more. And for that, I will always be grateful.
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Hattie Harrell is a graduate of David Lipscomb University and spent two years teaching English in Costa Rica.
