If you don’t build it ahead of time, you won’t have it when you need it. An attitude of gratitude is like that. Similar to many things in life……choice, preparation and gratitude practice is an essential healthy habit to build, well before we need it.
Imagine deciding to run a marathon next week when you have never run 5k, let alone 10k. You and I would call it ridiculous!
Leading self and others well with gratitude (and other qualities) is the same.
Without steady, focused and disciplined practice we are like the person headed out to run that marathon unprepared. And yet, this happens far too often.
The apostle Paul reminds us that we must live lives of worship and gratitude towards the One who made us. He reminds us that gratitude is a key part to ensuring that we are not lulled into foolish thinking.
This past Friday evening, a group of Mavericks gathered for our quarterly community connection. Business owners, spouses and friends shared an evening of gratitude – pausing to give thanks and enjoy the good work our God has been doing in and through our community. It was an evening focused on remembering that we can “take heart” and choose gratitude in the little things (and big ones too).
What’s your response to the times that are filled with “good”? Are you taking time to be grateful for the “little things”? Maybe more importantly, in the pace and hurriedness of our world, are you seeing and enjoying the little things.
Father Michel Quoist, a French priest, gently and directly teaches us the beauty of gratitude in the little things. Decide to pull away from the fray of your every day and slowly, prayerfully read this prayer. Enjoy!
Download The Michel Quoist Prayer
