A Grateful Heart
By Reverend Lane Williams
During this season of Thanksgiving we are naturally turning to thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. In the US of A we have much to be grateful for, yes, this is true. But we are often asleep to this fact until some incident happens that arouses us from our somnambulism. I live in Winooski where there are many folks, refugees, from nations where life is scary, where it’s hard to get food, water, and violence, civil war, genocide and atrocities are all around. We here in this blessed country take for granted that we will be supplied with these basic needs. I turn on the tap for fresh clean water and drive to the market for food. I sleep in safety. I hear of people complaining about these “outsiders” encroaching on the limited resources of the charitable organizations in our community. I see this in others and I suddenly recognize that same fearful whining, complaining part of myself. I see this and my heart reaches out to them and to me also. I envision my heart and theirs opening with love and compassion as we experience abundant blessings flowing to us. I see us all understanding that we are loved and we have not been abandoned nor forsaken for these refugees or any others. There is enough for all. I affirm that we live in an abundant universe and we all have access to the underlying substance of good. There is no shortage. There is an infinite supply. We must open our minds to this truth. We now release the limiting thoughts that keep us stuck in “not enough”.
I don’t think Spirit “plants” these events and challenges in life to rattle our cages, for I don’t believe there’s a predetermined master plan. I think there is stuff that happens that we can take to opportunity to use to transform ourselves once again, to choose love instead of fear, anger, or despair. I am choosing to be grateful daily. I am choosing to behold the Christ in all and everything. I do this for it fills my heart and I know that doing this awakens me. I will not need to have my cage rattled to see the bountiful goodness all around me. I choose to notice the many angels clothed in human skin who show up with a smile, a kind word, and a loving act. The people who allow me to go first in line, the people who answer the call in this ministry to serve others, the loving gifts, tithes, and love offerings that have supported this ministry for over two decades. I am grateful to be part of this ministry and to serve the beloved beings who serve. My greatest honor is to serve those who serve.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, God.
