Friday
“Have a little faith in angels
You never know where they might be
Have a little faith in angels
And you might begin to see
You could have a little faith in you and me”
www.petermayer.com/songs/faith-in-angels
I am so grateful that Peter has invited us to be on the alert for angels. I am thankful that he encourages us to have faith in order that we might see. The wings of “Gratitude” by Delia have a positive effect on me. I see them as a smile across the sky.
(part of this devo first appeared in a sermon on 1/16/2011 Epiphany 2a)
For the past fifteen years or so, I have gone on a monthly basis to a spiritual director. I’ve had three during that time, one in St. Louis, one in Minneapolis and one here in Colorado. All three have been Roman Catholics, two of them being Jesuit priests and one a Catholic lay woman. It was right before Christmas that I was visiting in a session. Basically these times are like being with a Spiritual/prayer coach- asking, praying, talking about “where is God moving in your life?” “How or what does Jesus really want from me or to be?” We were talking and then Father Vince said, “you know I’ve started writing down each night before I go to sleep what I am thankful for.”
It seemed so simple, but here was this faithful and faith-filled child of God all energized about having an attitude of gratitude.
St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth,
“2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,” 1 Corinthians 1
Now as you read a little more in Corinthians one realizes that the sisters and brothers in the community in that particular port city had a tendency to treat life more like Mardi Gras in New Orleans than some kind of Spiritual and Sacred Disneyland. As one hears about their problems, conflicts and arguments one senses that the “good old days” were just like “these days” in that sin, egos and misunderstandings often find their way into daily life. But, St. Paul states 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus.
My conversation with Father Vince led me to several books by Robert Emmons. One in particular called Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier provides lots of practical examples and advice on how to be thankful and consequently end up being happier.
His work connected with the more popular work of a man by the name of
John Kralik who over the course of a year wrote 365 thank you notes.
www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132263637/perfect-thank-you-notes-heartfelt-and-handwritten
www.365thankyounotes.com/media.php
So, that leads me to suggest to you that you think of yourself as a “thank you note.” Just imagine how your attitude of gratitude can change how people see their situations. Secondly, I’d like for you to take time today and write a “thank you note” from God’s perspective. This note can be a list of what God is thankful for in YOU!
Thirdly, take time to write another “thank you note.” This time the list is what or WHO you are thankful for.
Of course, you can send emails or text folks with a quick note indicating that you are thankful for them. If you’re shy (and who isn’t at some point?) tell them a pastor friend of yours has asked you to participate in this particular Lenten activity. Last, but not least, like St. Paul, you can say, “4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s the wild, holy, wonderful thing. The word for “giving thanks” that St. Paul used is
“eucharistw.” It is that “good gifting” that happens when the people of God, the sheep of God’s pasture gather around the table of the Lord and celebrate the perfect Passover Lamb of God.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” Colossians 3:16
We all have attitudes! Blessings to you this day so that you might have an attitude of Gratitude.
rtg
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