Ryan Reeve: “In Jewish tradition . . . it became very common to pray after the meal. . . not before the meal. The idea there is give thanks when you’re full, not when you’re hungry. Give thanks when you’ve enjoyed all these things. . . .
“I think that is a fully biblical concept of creation in the way that we ought to entice the world out of their sort of stifling rationalism.”
The harvest is in. Our refrigerators are full as we spend the next few weeks filling up on gifts and more food. It’s a season of anticipation. A season of fullness. Of sometimes too much fullness. Of demands on time, money, self.
At the end of that season of fullness, we impose a new time to empty ourselves on purpose. We make resolutions most of us don’t keep–or don’t keep for long.
Somewhere between, gratitude gets lost. In our busy-ness, we strive forward, having put thankfulness behind us.
The meal began; the prayer ended. But this reminder:
Give thanks to the LORD for his is good, his mercy endures forever! Let that be the prayer of the LORD’s redeemed, those redeemed from the land of the foe, those gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south. Psalm 107:1-3~
If we belong to him, we are among the redeemed. He has rescued us from the foe. He has gathered us to our place in his Church.
Gratitude is how we shine light in the darkness of winter. We woo the friend, those who see themselves as the foe, those still afar. We woo them to come to the light.
Gratitude is contentment in a world seeking more and more. Gratitude is satisfaction and peace.
“The test of all happiness is gratitude.” G.K. Chesterton
And happiness in Christ brings light into the darkness.