Grateful

​What does it mean to be grateful? Gratefulness is a feeling of appreciation by a recipient of another's kindness. This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person. The word comes from the Latin word gratus, which means "pleasing" or "thankful". For what are you grateful?

Sunday’s readings pointed out much for which we should be grateful.

From our Isaiah 40:21-26 reading:

• The very foundation of the earth and its orbit
• All creation, including humanity
• God will ultimately provide justice over princes and rulers
• And that we have a creator who calls us by name – with not one of us is missing

​And from the Gospel of John 1:1-14:

• The Word that was with God, was God
• All things came into being through him
• Including Life which is the light of all people
• The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it
• Power to become children of God
• The Word becoming flesh
• That is full of Grace and Truth

All of these things to be grateful for in just 20 of the 31,102 verses found in the Bible. Imagine how many more are found in scripture?

The problem is that many people do not read their Bibles. However, God knew that it wasn’t the best source of communicating with us that is why the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus, God with us, was born, raised in a family, and lived his life as the embodiment of God’s Word.
As followers of Jesus we are called to be witnesses of God. We do so best when we recognize for that for which we are grateful, and have the desire to help others do likewise as we share kindness, gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity. In doing hopefully gratefulness is felt by that person and they can join us in giving thanks to God and passing on gratefulness.

I encourage you to take a moment to write a quick list of which you are grateful; in fact, I invite you to do so every day. Many people keep a gratitude journal, it helps them focus on what is good and going well in their lives, and in doing so gives them a foundation and strength when facing difficulties in life.

​Below are the responses from those who shared theirs on Sunday. Are you surprised by the list?  Are the things you are grateful for already listed? If not, share yours in the comments. (A number in front indicates multiple responses).

May you be grateful for all the blessings you have received, giving thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen

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20 – Family
17 – Friends/Friendship
13 – Health
7 – Home
6 – Freedom
5 - Church
5 – Job/Work
4 - Love
4 – Nature/Outdoors
3 - Faith
3 - Jesus
3 - Life
3 - St. Luke
2 - A good book
2 - Dogs
2 - Food
2 - Forgiveness
2 - Good health
2 - Spouse
2 - Work
44 years of marriage to a wonderful husband
A good night’s sleep
Ability to buy food
Ability to give
America
Beautiful gardens
Beauty around us
Birds at the feeder

Career
Children
Church family
Coffee
Comfort
Community
Creation
Daughter
Empathy
Family time
Farmers
God
God endured for me
God given talents
God SAVED me
God’s blessings
God’s love & forgiveness
Good air to breath
Grace
Grandkids
Gratefulness
Great neighbors
Happiness
Having fun
Healthy family
Husband
Laughing
Medical staff-health
Miracles

Movement
My kids’ school
Nature trails nearby
Needed things
Neighbors
Opportunities to move on & create a new life for myself
Parents
Pets
Police
Power of prayer
Raspberries growing by the patio
Reading
Relationship
Saved through Jesus Christ
Serving others
Sisters
Sports
St. Luke’s family
St. Luke’s good health
Summer
Sunshine
Supportive family
Thomas
Triune God
tv/movies
Vacations
World peace