“All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.”  Psalm 145:10

“With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”  Colossians 3:16

The wrong side of the bed … one can always find something to complain about.  It’s too hot / too cold.  Too much to do … grocery shop, wash windows, scrub floors.  Aches and pains, slowing down.  (I’m not making light of pain and worries, of needs and fear.  Many people do have much to bear.)

The right side of the bed … I have chores because I have a home.  I make a list of what we want to eat, can go to the grocery store and buy it.  We have a comfortable home and warm clothes.  We even have enough to share!  I have another day.

One of my favorite poems is “Welcome Morning” by Anne Sexton.  She notices what we would call small things, things we take for granted – a clean towel, coffee, breakfast.  She urges gratitude to this “God of the morning” and will write “Thank you” in the palm of her hand do she won’t forget to say it.

Spring awakening - green shoots rising, finches turning yellow, needed rain falling; clean water, enough to eat, proper clothing and shelter are not small blessings.  On those “wrong side of bed” days, we are missing much.  We need to look for the small things and say “thank you”.  Today.  Everyday.

Gracious God, All I am … all I have is a gift.  Help me to not take for granted the beauty all around me, the joy of friendship and love.  Help me remember to say “thank you”.  Help me live an attitude of thanksgiving.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party