New Reminders: Gratitude

An attitude of gratitude is the opposite of selfishness.  Those and who think that everything they have is due to their own efforts, think they are sufficient unto themselves.  They do not believe they need help with anything.  They see no reason to depend on anyone else.  That attitude might work for a while, but sooner or later, that kind of arrogance is bound to come crashing down.  No one can live entirely on their own.  Even hermits, have to rely on others for some things, if nothing else, for medical treatment at some point.  Everyone has to humble themselves and realize that there are forces beyond their control.  Some people have to hit rock bottom before they realize that God is the source of every blessing.

An ancient Chinese proverb says: “When you drink from a stream, remember the spring.”  When you drink from the fount of God’s blessings, remember that He is the source of everything good. “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us.  Every breath we take is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense kindness from Him.  Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.  For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience.  And that is what makes all the difference.”—Thomas Merton quoted in Words of Gratitude by Robert A. Emmons and Joanna Hill.

As young children, most of us learned to say please and thank you.  When someone hands a child something, a parent will sometimes prompt the child by asking, “What do you say?” The child recognizes that as a cue to say, “Thank you!”  The parent’s hope is that saying the words will become a habitual practice.  The problem with habitually parroting the words does not come across as sincere.  True gratitude requires a conscious and thoughtful decision to acknowledge the sentiment and effort behind the gift.  In the case of gratitude to God, we are to recognize that the gifts are a reflection of His great love for us, to the point that He willingly sacrificed his only Son to save us.

With that in mind, it is possible for each of us to make gratitude a way of life.  “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34. Gratitude for God’s grace should motivate us all to pay that love forward, not to gain the gratitude of others, but to become purveyors of His love.