To identify as a Christian is to understand that we have been transformed by our experience of God’s grace. And if grace and gratitude are deeply intertwined, at the very core of our Christian identity is gratitude. Gratitude becomes the essence of our new identity. Gratitude, therefore, is no longer an attitude we take up, but an outpouring of who we are. This is the transformative work of gratitude; it repositions the way we view the world through a lens of the abundant grace we have been shown. Gratitude not only shifts our personal identities, but it also shapes our communities as well.
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The Way of Gratitude - Part 1 - Slow Thanks
My favorite holiday has always been the overlooked, under appreciated, often neglected, celebration of Thanksgiving. Yes, that holiday when you eat turkey, watch football, talk with family, nap, and not celebrate Christmas. Yep, that one. I know I am probably in the minority, as Thanksgiving’s older cousin, Christmas, usually dominates the later half of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in for Christmas. Lights, presents, stockings, and actual real tree, the whole bit. But, Thanksgiving has always held a dear place in my heart. There is something about sitting around a table with loved ones, eating a good meal, laughing and sharing stories that speaks to my soul. I have always been intrigued by a holiday that is centered around gratitude.
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