I’m planning to talk about gratitude, gratitude in the good times and in the tough ones. I’ll tell the story of my mom’s last words, ‘very grateful’, ten days before she died at age 101, and then share a couple of stories of friends who have be able to discover and express gratitude in the midst of personal sadness and tragedy. My scripture choices are brief verses of gratitude from Paul’s letters, and the message of on-going, developing gratitude in the Prodigal Son.
All of this feels very God led. I’ve written the invocation and the prayers that precede and follow Joys and Concerns. My ten minute talk, a sensible length for summer, is ready to go. Like the lilies of the field I’m neither toiling or spinning. Needless to say, I am very grateful.