STARTING WITH GRATITUDE

Last year was a year that I experimented with singing prayer and I have enjoyed this and shall continue from time to time. What I am hearing now is:

Try to start each day with simple gratitude.
Respond to gratitude by lifting my hands to the Lord.
As I lift my hands, I will try to lift my mind and heart.
Perhaps sing my gratitude…
This exercise will be in silence or with those closest.
Replace grumbling and griping with gratitude.

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) Catholic priest and author wrote: “Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are steeped in hurt and resentment.” That is a tall order, but our call is a tall one…a high one.”

My desire is that anything else that happens in word or deed will have been birthed and bathed in gratitude. I hope all else just slips away.

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.” Jesus