Radical Gratitude

Mary Jo Leddy contends that we live in a “culture of dissatisfaction.” Nothing is ever quite right. Not my job, my bank account, my living arrangement, my health—the list goes on and on. Thus, the question remains, “What will it take for us to live more satisfied lives?” I suggest that during this season of thanksgiving we embrace “gratitude” as a mindset for quickening our dissatisfied hearts. To wake up each morning and say “yes” rather than wearily shrugging our shoulders will go a long way towards lessening the load of heavy hearts.

Recently while on a leadership retreat I got up early and took a picture of God’s glorious earth. The stunning rainbow of autumn’s colourful foliage reflected in the waters of stillness brought me a moment of solace and connectivity to the elements around me.

It was a moment of “saying thanks” that helped me release a spirit of dissatisfaction which I find too often hanging around. Perhaps each day I can find a quiet moment to say thanks and begin with a grateful heart instead of an anxious one.

I offer a poem by Mary Jo Leddy as an encouragement to start our days with a grateful glance heavenwards:

Let me awaken into You

Let me lift my arms in praise.

I thank you for this,

this once more, this day,

this resurrection.

Let me throw off

the covers of sleep.

I trust You will

wrap me round with goodness.

Let me place my feet

down on You who are

Ground. Grace. Stability of Earth.

Bear me. Bear with me

Bear me forth into

this once more day

this time of my life

You have given me.

Bless me, O Creator

of my beginning.

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Let the water of your love

Run over me, within me.

Shower me with blessing

as I begin this day

in Your name.

Water within water.

Stream of Hope. Ocean of Faith.

Cup me in Your hands.

Accept the water of my life

as it flows through this day

Baptize me once again

this day.” (Radical Gratitude)