For What We Are

In my prayers, I gave thanks as a child for what was tangible to me as a child:  a house. . .warm clothes. . .food (especially if it was a feast - like Thanksgiving)!   I was taught (correctly so) to be thankful for all of those. . . things.

We are taught to give thanks for all of the things that are given to us.   There isn't anything wrong with any of this, unless it causes us to ignore to be thankful. . .for what we are.

Whether through training or culture or popular mindset. . .sometimes we get so entrapped on the "things" issue. . .that we become mindless to be grateful for what it is that makes us. . .us.   

Hearts that can love, that have empathy and truly care.

Consciences that have us seek and enact social justice - to correct wrongs and strive for what's right.

Integrity that enables us to desire the truth and to be able to deal with it whether it is convenient or not.

Tears that let us express grief and sadness and anger. . . and laughter that somehow makes all of that alright.

The power of friendship. . .that human bonding that makes each one of us more than we are by ourselves.

Minds that never cease in the seeking of curiosities, new information and wisdom.

Creativity that expresses our power in both the smallest and biggest of ways.

A human spirit that, somehow, against all odds, just keeps going and moving us forward.


We know this to be true. . .  all of the things that we have can disappear. . .but if we have our hearts and minds and souls. . .we will go on.

The utter beauty of this is these are not characteristics that are just exclusive to us as singular beings, but instead these are qualities which are inherent to all of us.    That, in turn, creates one of the things for which I am most grateful.

Faith.


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Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders," available for all e-readers on Amazon Kindle.   If you are a member of Amazon Prime - you can read this book for free.