Reminder: If you've been keeping a Gratitude Journal now is a good time to update it. Who blessed your life this week? What events lifted your heart? What did you see, hear or read that inspired you? There are so many reasons to be grateful!
Nearly a year ago, 33 Chilean miners were miraculously rescued after more than two months underground. As they emerged from their dark prison, many of them were wearing t-shirts emblazoned on the front with, "Gracias Senor," or "Thank you Lord."
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| 2010 Copiapó mining accident, at the San Jose Mine copper and gold mine, Chile |
While trapped, one 55 year old miner, Jose Henriquez, had become their spiritual leader. Twice each day he led the men in prayer. From deep beneath the earth, he communicated with rescuers on the surface, expressing his faith that God's will would be done. He quoted from Psalms 95:4, "In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him." It was Henriquez and his fellow miners who requested that the t-shirts be made, and they asked that the scripture from Psalms be imprinted on the back of each one. Their objective was to make a statement from the very first moment of their rescue, which they tenaciously believed would take place. That statement: that God should have the praise and glory for their survival.
I was deeply impressed last year as I watched the televised coverage of their rescue. The faith of those men seemed, to me, incredible. All the odds appeared stacked against them. Who can survive 10 weeks underground? And to survive such an extreme ordeal, remembering and praising God daily, is such a beautiful lesson for all of us. I know my faith feels puny by comparison, my whining over discomfort way too frequent and loud.
Thankfully, most of us will never have to suffer as these men did. Yet, they were so very grateful for all that was being done for them, and so appreciative to God for attending them while they were trapped, and for sparing their lives. How many of us, in our relatively comfortable situations, are as eager to invite God's presence? How many recognize His work and influence all around us? How many of us express our thanks?
One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I love this passage because it implies that no matter what our circumstance it holds a blessing for us. As we give thanks to God (acknowledge Him) and trust His judgment for our lives, He will lead us and guide us. He will turn even the most difficult trial to our good, if we will have faith in Him and in His love for us.
Taking a few minutes, each day, to sit silently and make a mental list of our blessings is time well spent. Taking an additional few minutes to let that gratitude sink into our hearts might well change our focus for the entire day. And expressing appreciation to God for all those blessings will draw us closer to Him. We will feel His love more abundantly and come to experience a great peace and confidence that we are well watched over, truly cared for and remembered.
Deeply felt gratitude is such a wonderful attribute. It can fill us with supreme happiness and turn even our darkest days into a divine passage filled with the light of God's love.
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