be thankful for small favors

To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities that one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be thankful for small favors. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye. We're just thankful for small favors that he still has the use of his left one. Yes, the fire damaged a large portion of our house, but it didn't reach our irreplaceable mementos in the den, so we're thankful for small favors.