Gratitude – A Reflection

Today has been a time of reflection and relaxation. The time has been spent at home with my sweetheart. It has also been a time of preparation for tomorrow’s worship. It has also been, for the most part, a time of fasting from the news cycle. So many times I feel myself becoming overwhelmed by all that is going on in the world according to the sensationalist headlines. Sadly there is so much polarization, mistrust, and fear perpetuated by so many.

This picture of the young yearling Elk always makes me smile. It always brings me back to a spirit of gratitude. I found the following quote from Thomas Merton’s book Thoughts in Solitude and it spoke to my heart.

“Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from God. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

God’s love and creation bring me back once again into a spirit of gratitude. I am so thankful for these holy reminders.