Rev. Jacki Belile“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

“Happiness cannot be traveled to owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” – Denis Waitley

Like so many things of spiritual significance, it’s easy enough to turn gratitude into platitudes or sentimentality. Or obligation. These quotes remind me of the depth we can touch in gratitude, as we slow down to recognize our blessings and our connections to others. As we head into another season’s turn, and bear the cost of our culture’s craziness, it is my sincere prayer that you will find in our common Eden spaces the ability to find and feel gratitude. And that beyond what we create together, you will guard spaces in your lives to do so as well.

We hope you’ll join us for Thanksgiving reflections this Sunday morning and/or afternoon (at The Festival of Song at 3:30pm). If you can’t do so in body, please do find a way to touch gratitude sometime this coming Sunday. What a great way to anticipate Advent!

For the Good News,
Pastor Jacki