Everyone likes to be thanked for the gifts that they bring you, including God. Thanking a person will brighten their life and fill them with a warm feeling. Thanking God will probably increase the blessings he brings you. God has given us so much! Just think about it and look about you in the world given as our home. The infinite beauty and variety of trees, some bearing edible fruit, both delicious and nourishing, some majestic in their height and beauty and some that will stay green even in the dead of winter. Trees give shade in the heat of the day and are used as a source of wood for building boats, homes and furniture as well as fuel for the fire.
The bushes give us different varieties of berries to eat. Some berries are found on plants close to the ground – and both kinds are oh so good.
Rivers, lakes and oceans are used as a route for travel. Marine life and many varieties of fish make a home in their waters and for us are a source of food, commerce and sport.
Just listen to the songs of the birds that fly above us or to their distinctive call to their mates – from the tiny hummingbird to the great eagles. Look at the waterfowl – ducks, geese, swans, pelicans and herons to name only a few.
We also have an abundance of animals – domestic for food, milk and companionship, while some are service dogs for the blind and handicapped and wildlife animals providing meat, plus their skins for money, tents and warm winter clothing. Seen in their natural habitat, they inspire awe and are subjects for photographers and artists.
Lift up your eyes to the majesty of the mountains, then lower them to the neighbouring valleys with their wildflowers nourished by sun and rain. Even in our own gardens there is a burst of colour from a variety of flowers, along with honeybees and butterflies. The vegetables that we grow, we will bring to our tables and to the market.
Turn your eyes heavenward to the splendour of the northern lights, the moon illuminating a path of light for us, and the brilliance of the millions of twinkling stars. Drink in the beauty of the sunset and the breaking of dawn dispelling the dark of the night.
These are only a few of the marvellous gifts seen on our planet Earth and sent to us with love from God.
We know that the Earth is only one of eight planets that travel in different orbits around our sun. The sun, of course, which is 100 times larger than our Earth, provides us with light and heat. The moon, the countless stars, the Milky Way, comets with their tails, eclipses, and the many galaxies besides our own, all respond to God’s ordered plan. So too, we know that the universe is continually expanding. Can you understand now the incredible, countless, beautiful gifts we have received from God, beginning with our own gift of life? When you woke up this morning, were your first words, “Thank you God for the gift of light and the gift of another day?” Do you thank God for the special gift that he has given you for the upbuilding of the community – the gift of musical talent of voice or instrument, a compassionate heart, a talent suited for mechanics, teaching or research, organization, relationships, service or a particular skills for cooking, sewing or sports?
Gratitude is owed to everyone who gifts us, as a response to their action, time or material gift given and especially to our God who has given us gifts in such abundance.
Be a grateful person!
Sister Andrea Dumont is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Roman Catholic religious order. She spent 14 years in Guatemala and since returning to Canada has lived in Grand Rapids, Easterville and Thompson. The main focus of her work in adult education, which includes training lay presiders for times when there is no priest available, organizing and instructing in the various ministries, sacramental preparation and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
