For what I have received...

“Were not ten made clean?

But the other nine, where are they?

Was none of them found to return and give praise to God

except this foreigner?”

—Luke 17.17-18

Gratitude begins

where entitlement leaves off.

Gratitude is not a feeling;

it's a practice.

First be grateful,

then see what you receive.

The more you practice gratitude for the little things

the more you experience life as an unexpected gift.

Keep this prayer always in your heart:

“For what I am about to receive, thank you.”

Steve Garnaas-Holmes Unfolding Light www.unfoldinglight.net

If you want to receive a daily reminder of our belovedness, subscribe to Pastor Steve's meditations like the one above. Just the initial greeting "Dearly Beloved" will start your day off well. Also, his interweaving of scripture (usually the upcoming reading for Sunday) with poetry and prayer and occasionally a "weather report" will add hope and peace to your day.

Today's offering reminds me of being in elementary school in England a hundred years ago (or so) where not only did we say a blessing before lunch, but we also said a blessing after lunch.

"For what we have received, may the Lord make us truly thankful." In those days, I was thankful for the jug of warm custard that had been on the table to pour lavishly on the warm rhubarb pie! But today, I think a before and after thank you would be fitting for most encounters and opportunities all day long!

For what I am about to receive this day, may the Lord make me truly thankful! For what I have received, likewise...

Gratitude is a practice of which I can never have too much.