Naming Grace

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward

You have opened my eyes to the goodness around me,

And I sing your praises.

For everything I have is gift from you,

Freely given and undeserved grace.

Birds gather in the trees outside my window, cheerfully proclaiming the start of a new day; the gift of life is so precious.

The smell of coffee, freshly brewed, slowing climbs my staircase. It tickles my nose as it bids me to get up and join him, a gift of love my husband left me this morning.

A phone call comes a little later on this day. We can take a few extra days off which will make our mountain stay a little sweeter. The gift of time together, a couples blessing.

The beauty of crisp cool mountain air and cold running streams that surrounds us as we ride our mountain bikes for 26 miles. The deer and the cattle welcome us along the way.

Fr. Paul, clothed in red, processes down the isle and greets us cheerfully. “Happy Pentecost”, he says, and we smile and wish him “Happy Pentecost”.

Later, Father’s words are even sweeter as I walk up to receive the body and blood of my Savior and looking into my eyes he says to me “The body of Christ”. Eucharist; the ultimate “thanksgiving”, a grace freely given to me and to you, out of pure love.

.....in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18