Pastor's Blog - October 2011

“Is the glass half-empty… or half-full?”  This question is sometimes asked when someone wants to know if you are a pessimist or an optimist.  This question also is a good one when considering the importance of gratitude in our Christian lives. Granted, there are people who just have a positive spin on life. They are like the tenth leper who raced back to thank Jesus for being cured (Luke 17:11-19). He seemed to have a disposition for gratitude. But there is much we can do to develop our appreciation for gratitude.  This is where the spiritual practice of gratitude comes in.
 
In an article entitled “The Practice of Gratitude,” in the current issue of Presence Journal, seminary professor Wilkie Au suggests there are four facets of the grateful disposition – intensity, frequency, span, and density.  He says they can be helpful barometers as we grow in our practice of gratitude. And he offers four questions that can help us.

• Intensity – How intensely do I experience my moments of gratitude? Can I deepen my experience of gratitude by savoring with more appreciation those people and things for which I feel grateful?
• Frequency – How often do I stop to consider the blessings and gifts in my life? Would more frequent reflection, perhaps daily, on what make my life full increase my disposition toward gratitude?
• Span – When considering events and people for which I am grateful, are there gaps in my awareness because I take for granted certain events and people (such as family meals and dinner with good friends) because they are so much a part of my ordinary experience?
• Density – When rejoicing over a success or achievement, do I spend enough time thinking about all the people who, in some way or other, have contributed to my experience?

 
I invite you to consider these questions for yourself.  You may want to discuss them with a close family member or friend.
 
Sometimes our gratitude can be revived by a shift in perspective.  We sometimes ignore our ordinary blessings until we are shocked into recognition.  This humorous story from Anthony DeMello’s One Minute Wisdom can be instructive.
 
“I am in desperate need of help—or I’ll go crazy. We’re living in a single room—my wife, my children and my in-laws. So our nerves are on edge, we yell and scream at one another. The room is a hell.”
 
“Do you promise to do whatever I tell you?” said the Master gravely.
“I swear I shall do anything.”
“Very well. How many animals do you have?”
“A cow, a goat, and six chickens.”
“Take them all into the room with you. Then come back after a week.”
 
The disciple was appalled. But he promised to obey!  So he took the animals in. A week later he came back, a pitiable figure, moaning, “I’m a nervous wreck. The dirt! The stench! The noise! We’re all on the verge of madness!”
 
 “Go back,” said the Master, “and put the animals out.”
 
The man ran all the way home. And came back the following day, his eyes sparkling with joy. “How sweet life is! The animals are out. The home is a Paradise—so quiet and clean and roomy!”