Gratitude

I read "Praying the Mystery" this morning. David Miller's prayer pointed out that two words, "Thank You..." are two of the most powerful words in both prayerful relationships AS WELL AS IN everyday human encounters. How many times do we experience something in life, something with people we may or may not know, that would be transformed into something holy by simply surrounding it with broad and deep gratitude.
1: The times somebody gives you space in a line or flow of traffic. Or the times when you are moved to set aside your "important" pace to let somebody else into the flow of traffic.
2. The time you see a child playing on swings and you can't help but stop to watch.
3. The time you see adult bird and fledgling at the bird feeder and you notice their relationship.
4. The times at sunset when the collision of natural clouds and pollution is transformed into a radiant panorama and your heart goes "aaaaaahhhhh...."
5. When you wake up in the morning and find a new day welcoming you.
6. When you see somebody new enter your church building and you remember to reach out to them, greet them and help them feel at "home".

All of these moments and endless others are examples of opportunities we are given EVERY DAY to remember the many, many blessings that come our way. They could easily slip into the category of chance happening or be seen as the result of a human effort to do a "random act of kindness".

As children of God, we know that these (and many other) situations are literally inbreakings of God's grace... reminding us of a love and compassion and a sensitivity so great that it has the power to transform our ordinary daily activities into an extraordinary awareness of God's presence.

Thank you!!! Amen.