Let us give thanks.… — Hebrews 12:28b.
After my latest health hiccup, the most profound feeling came over me as I walked out of the hospital doors — an overwhelming wave of gratitude – gratitude simply to be alive, to feel the ground beneath my feet, and to breathe fresh air. I had made sure to offer my heartfelt thanks to every nurse, doctor, aide, and staff member who had offered care and kindness during my stay. Their professionalism and compassion were truly remarkable.
However, as I settled back into the quiet comfort of home, a deeper realization dawned on me. Amidst the flurry of goodbyes and the relief of discharge, I had overlooked someone — the ultimate source of my strength and recovery: God. Fortunately, the divine presence isn’t bound by visiting hours or hospital walls; God is always near. So, I took a few quiet moments to offer my thanks, not with grand pronouncements, but with a humble heart, for once again enabling me to “bounce back.”
St. Paul’s exhortation to be thankful with “reverence and awe” resonates, even if my personal expression of faith leans towards the understated. I’ve always been more comfortable slipping into the back pew of an empty church, finding solace in the quiet solitude, and offering my prayers and thanks in whispers, without drawing attention. This private, intimate space feels most authentic to me, a sacred dialogue away from the public gaze.
Yet, whether our gratitude is expressed through fervent prayer, quiet contemplation, acts of service, or simply a deep, internal sense of appreciation, the method is secondary. What truly matters is the sincerity of the heart. God understands and accepts all forms of genuine thanksgiving. In the quiet moments after a challenge, recognizing that underlying current of grace — the resilience within, the support from others, and the sustaining spirit that sees us through — is perhaps the most profound act of reverence and awe we can offer. It is in these moments that we truly embody the spirit of thanks, acknowledging the blessings, both seen and unseen, that continuously uplift and renew us.
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