By Sharon Frank
DO YOU SEE the glass as half full, or is it half empty, or do you even notice that there is a glass at all? This just may shed some light on how you see God’s creation.
When I think of October, of course Thanksgiving comes to mind with turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberries, mashed potatoes, veggies, and pumpkin pie with whip cream! As I consider these things I am struck by a sense of gratitude. I am so grateful that these are part of my memories and family traditions.
This idea of gratitude is not new dating back to the fifth century, as evidenced in Saint Benedictine’s “Rule of Life”, deeply rooted in Benedict’s spirituality which emphasizes humility, service, and recognizing God's presence in all things. This is not a fleeting emotion; it becomes a way of life and involves a conscious effort.
Today, we hear of the "Ministry of Gratitude", the function of being thankful comes to mind and can refer to a deliberate effort within a church to foster a culture of thankfulness and appreciation. What is old is new again! It can also be used broadly to describe the practice of expressing gratitude in any ministry or service-oriented context. Essentially, it emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a core aspect of faith and ministry, encouraging individuals to recognize and appreciate God's blessings and the contributions of others.
Some of the key aspects of a “Ministry of Gratitude” includes forging and strengthening our relationship with God through prayer. By actively looking for and acknowledging the good thing in life we recognize our Blessings. We can express thankfulness by verbalizing and/or acknowledging those good things to The Divine. This helps to cultivate a grateful heart and contributes to an attitude of thankfulness as a way of life. Finally, we can bear witness; by sharing the goodness, love, and blessings we have received from God with others.
When gratitude becomes a routine part of a personal way of life, it helps build a relationship with the Holy One. Every and any time our lives are strengthened in a relationship with the Divine is a prayer. Prayer is all about connecting, communicating, and building a relationship. There is no wrong way to pray. There is no one way to pray. There are many and varied ways to do so.
When we are grateful and give thanks for God’s good gifts of creation, we are strengthening a “Holy Bond”. This then prepares us to remain stronger in times of sadness, fear, and even doubt. Human being are complex creatures and so when we find ways to strengthen our Bonds with Creator that does indeed give us the fortitude to face the difficult times in life, which we all experience from time to time … some more than others. In life people are often quick to criticize or complain but slower to see the positive and acknowledge it. Fun fact: the more one focuses on the positive, that is gratitude, and as we offer up thanks it comes full circle, and we become known as positive people. Others want to be around grateful people.
In summary, when one lives out the “Ministry of Gratitude” there are definite benefits. We find an increased joy, happiness and wellbeing. Overall relationships improve because expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships with God and with one another. There is a shift away from negativity and complaints to positivity. Finally, there is spiritual growth as relationships deepen and there is a fostering of purpose and meaning for life.
Gratitude, being thankful strengthens faithfulness. Give thanks… and give it often!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sharon Frank is Huron AFP lay executive member.
Photo: Eric Tompkins/Unsplash