SUNDAY: GRATITUDE TO GOD

“I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.”

Helen Keller, author of “The Light in My Darkness,” published by Chrysalis: West Chester, Penn.

Isn’t it amazing how a power outage in winter can make us so grateful for the power that surges through our houses every day? That invisible power gives us food, warmth, light and a comfortable life.

Hmmm…what else is like that I wonder?

Of course it’s God! (Or the Divine, Spirit, Source, whatever works for you.) God surges invisibly through us and around us all the time, healing us; “powering” us up; blessing us; pouring his grace into us; filling us with light; warming us; holding us; inspiring us; supporting us; guiding us; nourishing us, and loving us.

He (I am using the term “He,” but feel free to use whatever reference works for you here—we all have free will!) might use Guardian Angels or other people as angels to do some of his work nurturing us. He can turn situations into something good for us, or send help or teachers in all sorts of shapes and sizes, or whatever is needed for us at that time.

Today, find reasons to be grateful to God and your angels. This should be an easy one!

Think what fun it would be if you identified all the angels in your life who are helping you right now. Look for them. Acknowledge your Guardian Angels and other spiritual and human beings who are working for you, with you and helping you.

We spend a lot of time in prayer asking God and our angels for help—for them to fix things and take this or that away or do something for us. What if we spent some time today and every day just listening, and asking what we can do for them? And in simply being grateful for everything they do for us.

Perhaps we can be of service to God and our angels in some way by being kind to another person, or healing a broken relationship or forgiving someone—who knows what it could be. But I bet it would be interesting if you just sat and quietly listened for seven minutes. Or longer!

And for those of you who don’t believe in prayer, what is the first thing most of us do if there is a life-threatening crisis? If we are suddenly diagnosed with a disease or worse, our child is? We pray! It’s amazing how prayer comes into a person’s life in those situations. And helps. Why wait for a disaster – begin now!

In my opinion, seeing God’s influence on, and in, your life is essential for joy. Without this connection, there is no joy. When we feel truly grateful and connected to God, we are in a state of joy.

Babies are born with a capacity for joy, but some action must happen for the joy to emerge. As soon as babies can actually “do” things, they become joyful. When we permit babies and toddlers the freedom to explore and accomplish new movements or tasks, we can see the joy in their faces! As we age and learn to use our spiritual gifts, joy flows into us and shows in our faces as well! We can rejoice with others who are in a state of joy—it can be contagious.

This day, focus on God and gratitude for everything He and His helpers do in your life. This should be an easy day with a lot of writing in your journal.

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