"Taken For Granted"

What does it mean to be taken for granted?

 If you plug this into a Google Search this is what you will find. Web definitions- Axiomatic: evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold these truths to be self-evident".wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn 

The Urban dictionary has this listed as a definition; To expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone or something too lightly.

It seems as if every day I hear someone say something or do something that communicates that they are or have taken something for granted. We love and enjoy driving or riding on a road that is smooth, but do we recognize how that smooth road came to be?  Do we consider how the road came to be located in that place in the first place? Was it originally a footpath, then a wagon path, then a gravel road, then a paved road? Who worked hard and used "what knowledge" to build this road that you are now enjoying. Who helped to make your trip easy and enjoyable? Most of the time we do not think of these things at all. But when we must traverse a bumpy road, we may scream, "Why don't they (the city, municipality, state or national government) do something about it?"  Often we do not think about these things until something goes wrong and the problem becomes very noticeable. 

When it comes to "growing, strengthening, building our faith and connection to Jesus, fellow believers and the members of our local congregation" what are the aspects of these relationships that can be "taken for granted"?  Maybe a blog of remembrance or what not to take for granted might help. Can you think of other ways to keep from "taking _____ for granted"?  Fill in the blank with whomever or whatever can be taken for granted.  I look forward to your comments.