Like many of us in this country and around the world, I watched with surprise and dismay as the Taliban swiftly took over Afghanistan this week. I listened to President Biden’s speech and to the news analysts, trying to make sense of this moment in history. This news overshadowed the earthquake in Haiti. Meanwhile, the wildfires in the western U.S. have become so sustained and commonplace as to be less newsworthy.
In the context of this news from other places, I am extremely grateful for what I have right here. I am grateful for a house that is standing, not demolished by rocket fire, burned to the ground by wildfire, or knocked down by an earthquake. I am grateful for the ability to travel: for decent roads, for rest areas with running water, for the ability to stop along the highway and get something to eat and re-fuel my car. It’s easy to take these things for granted—but today I am not. Living in a functioning society is a blessing, and it’s a luxury that not everyone has. The far-way disasters of war, fire, and earthquake give me this perspective—and so does the experience disaster of the COVID pandemic, which upended life as I know it.
I heard a man on the radio say that gratitude is like a “cheat code” for life. Practicing gratitude is key to living a spiritually grounded life and being happy in it. May we all be grateful for what we have.
PRAYER:
Spirit of Life and Love, I see now that I am lucky. Thank you for this healthy body, for the abundance of material things I have access to, for the presence of loved ones.
All-knowing God, help me and all others to be grateful for the things we have. May gratitude bless each day and bring us joy and connection.
Divine Spirit of Mercy, be with those who are hurting and in danger today. May the people of Afghanistan be comforted and may they be safe: may wisdom and peace and mercy prevail in the aftermath of the recent violence there. May the people affected by wildfire be safe: may homes and businesses be protected and may life be spared. May the people of Haiti be well: may they find shelter; may they work together and receive help from abroad in rebuilding what is lost; may their mental anguish be eased.
In the name and faith of all the world’s people: Amen. Aho. Blessed Be.
In the context of this news from other places, I am extremely grateful for what I have right here. I am grateful for a house that is standing, not demolished by rocket fire, burned to the ground by wildfire, or knocked down by an earthquake. I am grateful for the ability to travel: for decent roads, for rest areas with running water, for the ability to stop along the highway and get something to eat and re-fuel my car. It’s easy to take these things for granted—but today I am not. Living in a functioning society is a blessing, and it’s a luxury that not everyone has. The far-way disasters of war, fire, and earthquake give me this perspective—and so does the experience disaster of the COVID pandemic, which upended life as I know it.
I heard a man on the radio say that gratitude is like a “cheat code” for life. Practicing gratitude is key to living a spiritually grounded life and being happy in it. May we all be grateful for what we have.
PRAYER:
Spirit of Life and Love, I see now that I am lucky. Thank you for this healthy body, for the abundance of material things I have access to, for the presence of loved ones.
All-knowing God, help me and all others to be grateful for the things we have. May gratitude bless each day and bring us joy and connection.
Divine Spirit of Mercy, be with those who are hurting and in danger today. May the people of Afghanistan be comforted and may they be safe: may wisdom and peace and mercy prevail in the aftermath of the recent violence there. May the people affected by wildfire be safe: may homes and businesses be protected and may life be spared. May the people of Haiti be well: may they find shelter; may they work together and receive help from abroad in rebuilding what is lost; may their mental anguish be eased.
In the name and faith of all the world’s people: Amen. Aho. Blessed Be.
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