Have you ever felt that just saying “Thank you” was not enough to express how grateful you felt about something?  I describe that feeling as being overwhelmed with gratitude.  I feel that way quite often.

It makes me want to compose just the right note expressing the deep level of appreciation that I have for someone or something or some event.  Thanksgiving Day brings that attitude into focus in our household.  Clearly, we all realize that gratitude should not be left for expression once a year.

An “attitude of gratitude” as a daily practice, makes the world a better place, even in the face of adversity and sorrow.  It helps to make my life a better life, even in the face of adversity and sorrow.  It doesn’t make the issues go away, it assists to make them manageable.

I can be overwhelmed with gratitude at just about any occurrence.  Some of the obvious ones, you won’t have any trouble guessing, are sunsets, babies and children, family, friends, good music, and good food. 

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a community concert of sacred music by Mozart and Handel. The feeling of gratefulness for this opportunity is still with me, days later. The thankfulness for the conductor and orchestra, the staff of the venue and the appreciative audience cannot be sufficiently expressed to satisfy my need to say the right thank you. Overarching this event is the awe-inspiring music of Mozart and Handel glorifying God with incredible notes and lyrics leaving me speechless.

However, I can also feel that swelling of gratitude while watching people going about their shopping at the grocery store, delivering the newspaper or driving down a busy road.  Yes, even SR 200! 

I am so very grateful to our loving Creator for all the gifts in my life.  For everything that I can do and, frankly, for some things that I don’t have to do, like walk miles for water or food.  Not to give thanks for what I have and for the environment that surrounds me, would be a rebuff to God.   

I don’t pretend to understand why some have so much more than others do.  I can only continue to play my role in this life and acknowledge my gratitude at every opportunity, not just on Thanksgiving Day.  I know that God loves you, me and all his creations unconditionally, for which I am very grateful.

Terri