March 7, 2006

An Attitude of Gratitude
Read: Luke 17:11-19

“An attitude of gratitude” - this catchy little phrase you've probably heard from time to time. It sprints to my mind often. I've found it to be most helpful, and believe that if it were practiced widely in our world, would change it for the better.

It is quite easy to take one's blessings for granted, especially those that are a part of daily life. A lengthy list of things (largely material) for which to be thankful could readily be drawn up by any of us. Some things we have “earned,” such as those we purchase with income derived from our jobs. Others come to us as “gifts,” given by family members and friends. We are fed, clothed, sheltered, and provided for by them, bringing us comfort, security, ease, and enjoyment.

There is also much that nourishes our minds and spirits, often coming to us freely, and without charge. As I write this, I am looking out the window into the garden covered with freshly-fallen snow, its features beautifully “painted” by nature in pure white, and where each contrasting season offers its own beauty. I think of the countless times I've listened to a piece of great music, happened upon a beautiful landscape or building, driven down a pleasant tree-lined street or country road, enjoyed a sunny summer afternoon by the lake or the smile of a passing stranger, appreciated the warmth and companionship of family and friends, etc, etc.

At the close of each day, I try to remember to enumerate those things and experiences for which I am grateful, and express my gratitude to God, the source of all that is good and beneficent. Do you remember the words of the old song - “Count your many blessings, name them one by one?” How much better I feel in doing so!

As I see it, there are three simple steps we can take to increase the awareness of our many and varied blessings:

1. Acknowledge God as the one and only source of all that is good
2. Be Grateful in your heart (my dictionary defines grateful as “warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received
3. Offer Thanks (thanksgiving is defined as “an act of giving thanks, grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors”)

The importance of this last step needs to be emphasized. Being grateful within always precedes the act of expressing thanks. Steps 2 and 3 are not the same. Gratefulness is an attitude of mind, and thanksgiving is the resultant action, one following the other. If we do not express our thanks in a meaningful, tangible way, its beneficent power is limited. Though God is the source of all good, we must remember that in this world, the wonder of His love and caring is expressed through specific channels, and we must be grateful for and thankful to them. We must remember, too, that because of the oneness and unity of all creation, any gift we offer to another is really the gift we are offering to ourselves. (Conversely, a blessing denied another is a blessing unavailable to ourselves. Thanksgiving blesses all, for “truly, it is as blessed to give as to receive.”

Love, joy, peace, harmony, abundance, life itself, all have their source in our Creator-Sustainer God. How many things can you find in your life for which to be thankful? Even a few moments of sincere reflection will bring so very much into your awareness, lift your spirits, and encourage you to anticipate God's numerous blessings to come!

Dear God,
We express sincere gratitude to You, our Creator, for our very existence and our thanks to all living things that offer us the opportunity to remember You. Your tender care sustains us all our earthly days, and Your unending love surrounds us in the eternal home You have prepared for us. Help us to live our lives in joyous service to You as a tangible expression of our thankfulness. Amen.

Doug Dykstra