Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the one who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones.
[Excerpted from Let Gratitude Show You the Way: A 21-Day Devotional Guide, Herald House, 2012, p. 8]
Receiving God’s grace and love liberates us to share them. Generosity is a virtue rather than an act. Our ability to be generous emerges from a spirit of thankfulness and not debt. When we open ourselves up, God blesses beyond measure. God’s blessings transform us, and we want to respond. We respond out of gratitude and not out of indebtedness.
With God’s generosity there is no “debt of gratitude.” God is not keeping track of the blessings provided with expectation of return. God does not want us to respond because we feel like we have to respond. God simply blesses. When we are vulnerable to divine grace, we are open to receiving these blessings and we become more generous like God. When we respond out of gratitude, we keep the gift moving as we pass on what we have received.
Prayer Phrase
“…give thanks in all circumstances” (Thessalonians 5:18).
Practice Gratitude
Set aside an intentional time every day to:
- Read a daily reflection.
- Prayerfully reflect on your day (or previous day).
- Ask the question, “What am I grateful for today?”
- Write it down.
Expressions of gratitude don’t need to be sappy and tearful, just sincere and heartfelt. It can be for the little and the big things in life; it can also be for the ordinary and the mundane. First thing in the morning? Middle of the day? Last thing at night? It doesn’t matter when. It matters that you do it the same time every day and you are consistent.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.