Gratitude
Webster defines it as the state of being grateful : thankfulness
I recently read this quote by Richard Emmons:
“The more I study gratitude, the more I have come to believe that an authentic, deeply held sense of gratefulness toward life may require some degree of contrast or deprivation.
One truly appreciates a mild spring after a harsh winter, a gourmet meal following a fast….Some blessings are not known until they are lost."
I cannot agree with this more. As I have now lived in Nicaragua for over six years there have been many things that I have come to appreciate in a new way. Simple pleasures like hot showers, pumpkin pie, consistent power etc. Throughout the past 6 months I have come to appreciate certain things more now with the loss of my brother and sister-in-law this year certain things that I once took for granted I now cherish with a whole new sense of gratitude.
Now moments with my family, phone calls home, pictures of my nephew hold a new depth of specialness because I realize they are precious moments to be shared and treasured because we do not know how long we will have to share them.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
My roommate Aimee is a Canadian and I've learned a lot about a few of the Canadian holidays over the years. Earlier this month Canada celebrated Thanksgiving. There is a group of dear Canadians that have invited me to join them in their celebration for the past few years. It is a beautiful time to reflect with gratitude the things of God in our lives. I've been challenged to take the everyday moments with an attitude of thanksgiving to the Lord.
