To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives – the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections – that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for. Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.
Henri Nouwen
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henri last sentence is an intened motavator,to move beyond all that he previously spoke of.but whats interesting is he points fear to be they factor,which almost links the reason for our unablity to be thankful.if so sounds like what he deems as spiritualy hard work is easily granted from our father provided we are willing to accept. for we have no reason to fear but yet,when we do its on grounds not applicable.
Comment by rodney buchwalter January 29, 2008 @ 12:08 amPsalm 23
Comment by d January 30, 2008 @ 1:05 amSurely goodness and love will follow me
ALL the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
wow andy. i really like this. a lot. made me think.
Comment by nicole February 4, 2008 @ 5:02 pm