I’m thinking about gratitude, figuring that with prayer I have to start there and end there, as challenging as it is. Start my day, my first sip of coffee, my walk, my solitude here at the cottage, things that I like. But what about happenings that don’t encourage my applause—burned toast, a flat tire, a friend with cancer? How can I muster gratitude then? And let’s move on to the wonders of nature. I have gratitude for the sunrise this morning and for the Wolf Moon last night. But what about the nor’easter that undoubtedly will bring snow to shovel, along with the possibility and reality of home damage and even death to someone? Not an uplifting place to end.
It is so easy to parcel out gratitude for those things that please me. But, of course that presents me with a dualistic view of God, which I like to believe is way too small for me. God is bigger than any category, so my gratitude has to be bigger, as well.
To me, gratitude is awe, so that’s where I must begin. When I start there, I can easily be grateful for the good things; with the help of God I can end up seeing and working in awe with God in the difficulties.
It is so easy to parcel out gratitude for those things that please me. But, of course that presents me with a dualistic view of God, which I like to believe is way too small for me. God is bigger than any category, so my gratitude has to be bigger, as well.
To me, gratitude is awe, so that’s where I must begin. When I start there, I can easily be grateful for the good things; with the help of God I can end up seeing and working in awe with God in the difficulties.
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