Gratitude and Thankfulness
I will never forget my oldest daughter’s first prayer. She was two at the time: Jesus, thank you for coming. Amen. In one line, she captured the essence of our life with God. The life of faith flows out of gratitude. Gratitude is an inner attitude of thankfulness that overflows into our interaction with God and others. John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Without gratitude, a vital relationship with God is easily reduced to religious obligation. A life lived under the yoke of obligation can end in bitterness and cynicism. In contrast, a life lived out of gratitude opens up the future. The life of gratitude recognizes the giftedness of our existence and relationship with God. We have been touched and transformed by God’s kindness. An encounter with God’s gracious acts shapes us into the type of people whom God desires - grateful persons living out the gift of new life for the sake of others. These are the sorts of persons whom God can use to change the world.
As the global economy continues to struggle to rebound from the steep recession of 2008-09, it is tempting to focus on loss and forget to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. I remain profoundly grateful for God’s gift of life to me. I want to live my life as a joyous and grateful response to God’s grace. What about you?
Is your relationship with God rooted in obligation or does it flow out of gratitude?
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