Being Grateful as a Gift to Myself

Good Morning, God!

I was just about to write some Thank You cards and letters when my eye was caught by an email titled “The Blessings of Gratitude.” It was an excerpt from the book All That Jesus Asks. I read the whole four pages excerpt.

I KNOW gratitude is GOOD FOR US! Still, it was good to read the quote from the book that “Studies show that gratitude is associated with “pro-social behaviors” and with improved emotional well-being.” It sounds so scientific as opposed to wishful thinking. I like that.

Gratitude, like Thanksgiving and Praise, helps us OPEN the door of our Heart — open to YOU, God. But, that door, while BIG, is often CLOSED. In fact, our schooling — teaching us to look for what’s WRONG — probably trains us not even to see that there IS a Door at the back of our Inner Garden.

Hmm. I’m looking at the gate and smiling, as I picture a truckload of manure coming in through that gate to fertilize the crops and flowers in the garden.

Ah, yes. MANY of YOUR BLESSINGS, God, do seem like having “manure” dumped on us. Manure is essential for the growth and good health of plants. But, we don’t WANT the old smelly and organic fertilizer dumped on us! We — well, me — I want EASY and PLEASANT . Sigh, I’m happy to be watered, but fertilized?

Ah, KNOWING THAT YOU USE EVERYTHING that comes into my life — really helps me Grit my Teeth and OPEN the Gate of Gratitude so I can be blessed — and grow. THANK YOU, GOD!