Hope
In recent weeks, especially because of the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve been focusing on developing a grateful spirit. I’ve started an online gratitude journal, done some reading about the benefits of being more appreciative of life’s gifts and made a conscious effort to look for everyday surprises.
It seems to me that this kind of watchfulness is much like the watching and waiting we do during Advent. As we approach Christmas Day, we await the birth of the Christ child, the promised one. And as we develop a daily sense of gratitude, we sharpen our ability to see God in the moment.
I Chronicles tells us “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” I believe that if I can strengthen my gratitude habit, I will more easily recognize the presence of Christ – not just in the coming days, but all year long.
Sheila Allee Kershaw