Gratitude

It is hard to believe that we will once again celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. As I was praying this week I was struck by Joyce Rupp’s Litany of Generosity. It spoke to me of all that Thanksgiving is all about. May we have hearts full of gratitude and love as we approach this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Spiritual Practice by Joyce Rupp

(Response to each: Gracious God, give us generous hearts.)

— to share whatever gift it is that you have given to us. . .

— to acknowledge you as the giver of all good gifts. . .

— to give without counting the cost. . .

— to share without expecting something in return. . .

— to be wise in the way of caring for ourselves and others. . .

— to hold all of our treasures and values with open hands. . .

— to have gospel priorities and to align our life, love and time in their light. . .

— to be gracious and unbegrudging in our giving. . .

— to recognize the abundance of blessings in each passing day. . .

— to know the freedom that comes with true generosity. . .

— to experience the heart of the widow giving her mite. . .

— to accept our talents, whether many or few, and to use them in service of the Kingdom. . .

— to grow in giving thanks for everything. . .

— to be happy with having what we need and to be wise enough to know what it is that we want and do not need. . .

— to fall more deeply in love with the God of all generosity so that our hearts are strong enough to give away freely whatever is asked. . .

O gracious God, who so generously lavishes our lives with goodness, create in our hearts a deep center of gratitude, a center that grows so strong in its thanksgiving that sharing freely of our treasures becomes the norm and the pattern of our existence. Remind us often of how much you cherish us, of how abundantly you have offered gifts to us, especially in the hours of our greatest need. May we always be grateful for your reaching into our lives with surprises of joy, growth, and unearned love. Amen.

— Joyce Rupp in Fresh Bread and Other Stories of Spiritual Nourishment