The value of gratitude

• Saying thank you is one of the first lessons we teach our children; this reflection invites us to practise gratitude every day for everything we have.

THANK YOU is one of the first phrases we teach our children as a rule for getting along well with others. Perhaps, without knowing it, we are leaving them an extraordinarily valuable legacy for their lives. For sometimes we fail to recognise the great value of giving thanks, what it means for the person who gives thanks, and how it multiplies their blessings.

We take for granted that certain things will always be with us. That is why we often forget to give thanks for everything God gives us daily and abundantly.

I invite you to try this simple exercise to work your gratitude muscle; I promise you will be amazed by the results.

First, for one week, find time to give thanks at every moment: in your room, in the car, on holiday, at the supermarket… Give thanks to God for what you see, for what you have, for what you enjoy and, even more, for what you don’t understand and don’t like, but which will surely work for your good.

The following week, practise thanking your spouse, children, siblings, colleagues; in short, thank everyone for everything.

After these two weeks, we will see how our perception of the world changes and how we feel more satisfied with what we have and who we are. We are also very likely to receive great and pleasant surprises, because we always receive more than we give.

In the Bible and in books on spiritual growth, we will find plenty of information on the importance of being grateful and how it opens the doors to greater blessings. But without doubt the Bible is the book above all others for finding exhortations and examples of the importance of being grateful.

Once again, I urge you to be grateful: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Finally, I leave you with this reflection. The Holy Scriptures tell in Luke 17:11-19 of the miracle of healing our Lord performed when 10 lepers asked Him for mercy. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, and on the way they were cleansed. Of the 10, only one returned to Jesus to give thanks for the miracle, and this man was a foreigner, a Samaritan. When he came back full of gratitude to fall at Jesus’ feet and give thanks, our Lord asked: …and the other nine? Where are they? Was no one found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?

Thank you for your attention to this message, and I hope it is of benefit to you.