In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God,
and in all things give Him thanks.-
~St. Teresa of Avila
Notes from around the Gratitude Community…
“Since I read about the gratitude community, I’ve wanted to be a part, but I hesitated.
Not because I didn’t want to choose to be grateful, but because for so long in my life, I’ve tried to use ‘Gratefulness’ and ‘Perspective’ as a way to avoid feeling the pain of living in a fallen world, and living in a fallen flesh.
I am still learning how to feel. I am still learning how to sit with where I am. But I think that I can be grateful and not be in a place of avoidance.
I hope to continue to learn how to be grateful IN my pain…”
“About a week ago my husband…. John caught his foot in a grain auger. Before he knew what had happened it had sliced off two of his toes. He spent a long weekend in the hospital and is home now, recouperating nicely.
While it may seem odd to pair an accident of this nature with a posting on gratitude; it was, after the initial shock wore off, the first thing I felt.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro. 8:28)
While we will never know this side of heaven whether this accident was something the Lord afflicted us with to refine us or whether this is something He merely allowed; I can tell you emphatically He wasted no time in working good in our lives out of this situation.
God’s presence was with each of us as we had need. John was calm and peaceful throughout, even when he learned that his toes could not be saved. With God’s help, I was able to remain calm and gave me presence of mind to do what I needed to do…
Gratitude for the gift of life. Things could have been much worse. Farm accidents can be dangerous. Augers are especially dangerous. John could have lost his whole foot or even a limb. It could have been his fingers instead of his toes…
Gratitude’s gift of clearer vision. Prior to the accident I was really struggling with a bad attitude. I knew I needed Father to give me a new heart and a new mind (again). This accident took care of that in an instant…”
The Gratitude Community Blogroll has been happily updated. (If I’ve missed your link, my apologies. Drop me a line, gracious friend, and I’ll get it fixed…) Take a moment and go visiting. God is close, gracious, and good… even in the midst…
Prayerfully consider joining us in thanksgiving – online or simply in a personal journal… I am humbled to walk this way with each of you. My thanks.
Photos: little bouquets picked by growing boys…
