I think about thankfulness rather often. Gratitude reinforces a proper sense of humility. I have so many things to be grateful for. But could I be grateful in the face of death? I hope that I have been. I hope that I will be.
But, I am not grateful as much as I should be. I have inherited a critical spirit, to my shame. I am so often apt to receive a service or a gift, and offer critique rather than receiving it graciously.
I hope to remember that in truth, the gift is not the object given. The gift is the thought behind the gift, and the act of giving. The gift is just the means of conveying the thought.
I hope to remember. I hope. For without the grace of God, it’s a lot easier to talk about gratitude than to be grateful.