July 6: Being Grateful

After spending a holiday weekend being grateful for our nation and the many ways God blesses our lives each day, the following words are worth pondering as we enter a new week:

“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us… and He has given us everything! Gratitude is more than a mental exercise, more than a formula of words. We cannot be satisfied to make a mental note of things which God has done for us and then halfheartedly thank Him for favors received.

Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, it is never unresponsive, it is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay, but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

by Thomas Merton