Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Spiritual Journey Thursday: Gratitude



I'm hosting today, so welcome, fellow SJT writers! Leave your link in the comments, and I'll round them up. Even if you're not a regular SJT writer, feel free to leave a gratitude list in the comments, anyway, or to link us to something on your blog. I intended to post this on Wednesday evening, but instead posted it early Wednesday morning. But I guess that's OK - maybe we needed an extra boost of gratitude on Wednesday this week.

 

I signed up for this job before 2020 began, and because it was November, I chose the theme of Gratitude. This year hasn't been at all as I had envisioned, but being grateful is still the best way to view the world, and I have so many reasons for gratitude. 


Recently, I sat in a doctor's office next to my husband, listening to the doctor talk about exercise and my husband tell about his cycling. The conversation made me think about sitting in a doctor's office in that same practice (though the practice has expanded and moved to a new location since then, and this was a different doctor), as my OB and my husband talked about cycling, a sport they both did avidly. I often felt like saying, "Hey! Remember me? I'm the one who's pregnant here - let's talk about me!" A lot has changed since those conversations years ago, and my babies are all grown up. But listening to my husband and his doctor, I remembered so many years of marriage, so many bike trips. I felt deep gratitude.


Here are some things, big and small, on the gratitude list generated in my head at that doctor's appointment:


1. A husband who still loves me and thinks I'm beautiful, after 31 years of marriage

2. Our children, one of whom texted while we sat there, having just arrived safely home from a bike trip of her own

3. Doctors to help us when we're sick and to encourage us to stay healthy

4. Health, and a continued ability to walk and bike and enjoy the world, even though lockdowns of several kinds have narrowed our world lately, and sickness has slowed us both down

5. This gorgeous, complicated island where we are so privileged to live

6.  Books to read, including on the electronic reader that was in my bag and that I'd been reading in the waiting room before the appointment

7. Birds, including the ones we'd seen from the car on the way there

8. COVID rates in this country that are far lower than what was predicted, even given the incomplete statistics we have (when we discussed this with the doctor, and asked for his opinions, he said he thought God had been good to us)

9. Friends, including the one we'd talked with in the waiting room


"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

 

"We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory." The General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer


Carol  has a bunch of goodies for us this month, from gorgeous fall photos to a found poem to a suggestion to take an "awe walk." So many reasons for gratitude! 

 

Linda shows us a wonderful thing for which she's grateful, and even included a photo and a poem!

 

Fran is speaking my language by quoting Reepicheep, the gallant mouse!  


Margaret is in with a gratitude poem, a lovely photo, and an invitation to participate in gratiku.


Karen  talks about a book she's been reading called Liturgy of the Ordinary (it's been on my wishlist for a while, and maybe this is the push I need to read it!), and shares a gratitude list. 

 

Ramona went for a walk and took glorious pictures!

 

10 comments:

Carol Varsalona said...

Ruth, I think it is a good move that you opened Spiritual Journey Thursday one day early. After Election Night, I think we all need to pause and reflect on how we can turn our thoughts to positive ones. Thank you for your gratitude moments that you shared and the James 1:17 scripture verse. I open my day thanking the Lord for every good and perfect gift bestowed instead of being consumed by worry based on what you wrote. Many thanks for your reflection that brings thinking to a new level of positivity. My post will be coming soon after refining my thoughts.

Karen Eastlund said...

Thank you for this beautiful post, Ruth. The best way to look at the world... I will be posting something tomorrow.

Carol Varsalona said...

Ruth, my post, "An Abundant Dose of Gratitude - SJT" is ready. https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2020/11/an-abundant-dose-of-gratitude-sjt.html
Thank you for hosting SJT.

Linda Mitchell said...

A lovely post. I am inspired to get started on mine after 10 pm. Ha! Maybe in the morning.

Linda Mitchell said...

A small but important appreciation that's cozy.
https://awordedgewiselindamitchell.blogspot.com/

Fran Haley said...

Ruth - so many things to be grateful for. The first on your list stirs my heart, as my husband still tells me that every day. I am grateful he is still alive - almost lost him last year. I, too, wrote about books today... the verses you chose here are perfect in themselves and especially for today's focus. Redemption... that word, that concept is always on my mind. I so believe in redemption - or what hope is there? Thank you for hosting and for holding your own light high over the path of our spiritual travels today.

Here's my link:

https://litbitsandpieces.com/2020/11/05/spiritual-journey-grateful-for-belief/

Margaret Simon said...

You have a wonderful list of gratitudes there. You've been through a lot on your "complicated island" and are blessed to have your husband at your side. I'm here today with a simple poem. https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2020/11/05/spiritual-journey-thursday-gratitude/

Karen Eastlund said...

Here's my post: https://kceastlund.blogspot.com/2020/11/in-everything-give-thanks.html Thanks again, Ruth.

Ramona said...

Love your gratitude list, Ruth. Thanks for gathering us. Sharing the walk and songs of the heart that brought solace to my soul.
https://pleasuresfromthepage.blogspot.com/2020/11/spiritual-journey-thursday-and-sharing.html

Anonymous said...

I love you, and I so very much enjoy reading your blog every single week! Thanks for writing! I'm thankful, today, for you and your blog!