Gratitude and God

I’m grateful for Thanksgiving! It points more loudly that one ought to be with appreciation for what have and experience in this moment. But why appreciate anything? My wife and I have had the privilege to travel abroad to developing countries and areas where there is deep strife and conflict. Those experiences give a backdrop to see how fortunate we are to be in America, living as Americans. How lucky I am! Why did I get this opportunity to be an American? I didn’t choose it. Like a child born into financial wealth and drive expensive cars at 18 years of age, I was born into a unique governing freedom.
In this context, I recognize more intimately God’s grace. Not that I deserve it or anything is owed to me. Why does most of the world’s population not have adequate drinking water yet I do? The first item of Bill Gates top 10 aspects of life is “Life isn’t fair. Get over it.” It’s true. And if we try to define “justice,” we can go through the gymnastics but in the end, those in control of others define what justice is. I’m not a cynic. Instead, the reflections illuminate more of God to me. Not sure of a benevolent God that is out there, beyond me. I don’t understand God. I don’t understand what happens in the world and why. Why am I so lucky not to live the constant threat of survival?
Jackie served in Bosnia in the 90’s. She was able to see firsthand how people scrapped by to just survive. Many were not able. In my travels, I’ve seen little girls be used for sexual gratification of white males from developed countries. Do these innocent children deserve this treatment? Recently, Jackie and I talked about how easy we have it. She and I have our conflicts. We disagree or feel hurt by what another says or does. It can feel like a big deal in the moment. But when we consider how much of the world lives, we are humbled in our generous settings. How lucky we are.
Jackie and I have a beautiful family. We are well educated and have a home. Our kids are healthy and are not stressed other than having to put on their mom’s costumes she makes for Halloween. We care for one another and our bills are paid and are with reserves. Why did God give us the talents He has? Yet, there are times I catch my thoughts wandering towards what I don’t have and how others have whatever is of attraction. “Am I good enough? Smart enough?” or “How come they are lucky to have that or this?” are rhetorical questions that sometimes run through my head. I know, however, that these are just human kinds of questions that come from the ancestral lineage for survival and belonging. I’m sure there are some cultural influences, too. Stopping the thoughts and questions, I return to God’s Grace. He has given me some Talents. I am blessed with an incredible partner and great kids.
The next set of thoughts revolve around using God’s given Talents. Although I am not the brightest bulb on the block, I do have some capabilities. I ask God to reveal in my heart and mind how to be His instrument in the world. I think He is already using me. It’s more of how to do I recognize and trust that I am doing as God wills. I think of Saul’s (Apostle Paul) interface with Christ on the Road to Damascus. Saul didn’t ask for Christ’s blessings but he got them anyways. Saul didn’t make a choice, it was forced on him. How could he deny Christ when it was so laid clearly in him? But Saul did use the Talents given and became a leader in the Christian expansion in the early years of the Church.
I just can’t get over how lucky Jackie and I are! We have requests with God but we are so blessed to experience what we do live on a day-to-day basis. In addition, with that awareness, we consider with a heavy heart how so many live with such stress for survival. I wish I could take all the suffering children bear or take the pain of the cruelty animals undergo. Innocent beings didn’t ask for subjugation or oppression. It’s the cards they got. Why? I don’t know. But I do beg God to keep my heart open and have my mind remember how lucky I am. In this particular life story that I have, Gratitude and Appreciation, my heart feels more free. This is why I cultivate loving kindness, appreciation, and surrender to what I am not in control of. I know a liberation I wish for every soul to understand and experience directly. However, I still miss often the opportunities to be grateful.
I don’t know what you may be experiencing in life. Maybe there are blessings you count regularly. If you are reading this more than likely, you are one of the privileged ones. I wish that you may share your gratitude in your heart with others. That you see the Divine in motion already in your life. Moreover, I wish that you may see and inventory your talents so that you write a story of how you use your talents in a way that you know in your heart that you are living your Truth.

Kindly, James