The Apostle Paul once wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In his book, Return of the Prodigal, Henri Nouwen makes the claim that gratitude is in many ways a discipline.  It involves a conscious choice. He wrote, “I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of complaint… I can choose to speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly. I can choose to listen to the voices that forgive and to look at the faces that smile, even while I still hear words of revenge and see grimaces of hatred… There is always the choice between resentment and gratitude…”

Nouwen goes on to say, “The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. But each time I make it, the next choice is a little easier, a little freer, a little less self-conscious. Because every gift I acknowledge reveals another and another until, finally, even the most normal, obvious, and seemingly mundane event or encounter proves to be filled with grace.”

As you go through the day today, and then throughout the week, try to be aware of all the occasions in which you can choose gratitude. Especially be mindful during those difficult, stressful moments. And as you do, may notice grace abounding.

Let us pray: We acknowledge, O God, that in the midst of the busyness of everyday life, it is easy to lose sight of your hand at work in our lives and in the world. Especially in the tense, angst-filled moments, help us to choose to look for the gifts and to give thanks. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In his book Proof, Timothy Paul Jones writes about his middle daughter who is adopted. She had been adopted before, but unfortunately, that family put her back in the foster care system. Even while she was with them, they had not treated this little girl like she was truly their child. Whenever they had special outings, they took all their biological children but left their adopted daughter behind. Of course, she got the message that she wasn’t wanted, wasn’t good enough, and wasn’t a full member of the family.

When Timothy Jones’ and his family adopted her, she acted out – a lot. In trying to make her feel welcome, Mom and Dad decided that the best way to welcome her to their family was to plan a trip to Disney. However, when they told their new daughter about the trip, her behavior problems only got worse. She lied. She stole food. She was mean to her new siblings. It seemed that this little girl was so afraid of not getting to Disney that she was trying to guarantee her new parents would have a reason to leave her behind.

The day finally came for their trip, and the family went all out to make this a special occasion: It was a full day of fun!  As they collapsed in their hotel room that night, Timothy asked his new daughter what she thought of the experience. She smiled and said, “Daddy, I finally got to go to Disney World. But it wasn’t because I was good; it’s because I’m yours.”

Timothy writes, “That is the message of outrageous grace. Outrageous grace isn’t a favor you can achieve by being good. It’s the gift you receive by being God’s.”

When the message of grace sinks deep into our hearts; we can let go of thinking that God’s love is something we need to earn. We can let go of our past mistakes and failures – knowing that God has let them go. We can let go of our shortcomings. We can let go of the shortcomings of others. We are set free from having to be the judge of the world… And that just feels good!

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for your unconditional love, mercy and grace. Help us accept these gifts, and to share them with a world desperately in need. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend, Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

We often see a sign over stores reading “under new management.” Friend of Dial Hope, when God takes over the management of our lives we may still blunder, and we may still present the same old face to the world, but there is hope of a new beat, a new spirit, a new honesty, a new reality. Wherever we are on our spiritual journey, may we put our lives “under new management – God’s management.” And remember, God has blessed us so we may be a blessing to others. Now make this day a masterpiece… With God’s help. 

Let us pray: “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my will and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The poet and philosopher John O’Donohue says: In a strange way, nothing is ever lost or forgotten; everything that happens to us remains within us….The image in nature… that we can look at, is the tree; all the rings of memory enfold all the years of growing, blossoming, thirsting, thriving, dying… In a similar way, within the clay part of each soul, the rings of memory are there, and you can find them. 

Over the past few days, we’ve been reflecting on the gift of memory, and how it is true that a lot of the experiences that we have in the world are torn, broken, and hard. However, when we visit those places with compassion and with eyes of faith, we begin the process of healing and growth. 

In the Bible, over and over we are called to remember God’s hand at work in our lives in the past. 

In Deuteronomy 4:9, we read, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

In Psalm 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits…

In Isaiah 46:9 it is written, “Remember the former things, those of long ago… I am God, and there is none like me.”

And in 2 Timothy, chapter 2:8, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead… that is my gospel…”

Let us pray. We remember today, O God, how you have carried us through in the past. We remember the love and grace we’ve experienced over the years with friends and loved ones. Grant us the ability to look back with compassion even as we look forward in hope; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yesterday we reflected on the gift of our memories.  When we look back, often even troubled times can often be seen in a new light. With the gift of a little time, we are often able to gain a new perspective on the past. Perhaps we can see it through the lens of humor, and laugh about it, or draw meaning from it in ways we could never have done when we were too close to it. 

I think about those teenage years that were so hard. And often looking back now I can see, well, maybe I needed something to push against. And in that pushing, there was a growth that happened and an opening of the world in new ways. (Of course, my parents may not look back at it so fondly!) 

And yes, of course, there are some things we’d rather forget. Things that happened to us. Or things we said or did. Or failed to say… or do.  We’ve probably all had our share of those. While the memories can be painful, they can remind us of our intentions to live better. Or more importantly, they can be reminders of how God has brought us through in the past. And that gives us hope for the future…

I think about one of my friends, who is a carpenter. Years ago he fell off a roof while on a job, and he broke both of his ankles. Like many in that profession who are self-employed – he had no health insurance. There was no workman’s comp. And he wasn’t able to work for almost a year. And he lost his house – couldn’t keep up with the mortgage.  He felt like Job because not long after that, his marriage dissolved. His wife left him. I was talking to him about this fairly recently and he said, you know a lot of that is just a blur to me now. I don’t remember a lot of it… But I do know, and I never forget it, if God can carry me through that, God can carry me through anything.

As I mentioned yesterday, it is true that a lot of the experiences that we have in the world are torn, broken, and hard. But when we visit those places with compassion and with eyes of faith, we begin the process of healing and growth.  Look how God carried me through… Look what God did… Look at the grace, the strength I was given…

Today, as you look back over your life, I pray that God would give you eyes to see his hand at work throughout the entire journey. May you remember the grace and the blessings all along the way.

Let us pray. We remember today, O God, how you have carried us through in the past. We remember the love and grace we’ve experienced over the years with friends and loved ones. Grant us the ability to look back with compassion even as we look forward in hope; through Jesus Christ. Amen.