Day 90 - Give Thanks

"Nothing is worth more than this day. You cannot relive yesterday. Tomorrow is still beyond your reach.” (Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 1749-1832)

This is the last Mindfulness Monday of this season. We will have travelled a long way from the start of 'A Secluded Place', beginning on Ash Wednesday on 5th March, through the events of Easter and arriving at Pentecost on 8th June. I wonder what we have discovered along the way and whether our journey has changed us? Are we more mindful, engaged in our communities, prayerful, appreciative of art, music and Scripture? Today may be a good time for a moment of quiet reflection on where we've come from and where we might be heading next, especially being aware of where we are right now in this present moment.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”. (1 Thess 5: 16-18). Gratitude is a large part of the practice of mindfulness and is considered good for our mental health and well-being, as well as benefiting the people in our lives. It's true, 'counting our blessings' is good for us! One simple method is to take a moment each day to notice and consider things we are grateful for - whether by making a quick mental note, having a few minutes of closed-eye reflecting or keeping a gratitude journal. Paul, probably imprisoned under house arrest, managed to reference being thankful 3 times in the following 2 verses:

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him” (Col 3: 15/16, CEV).

This year's National Assembly, inspiring and uplifting, shone its light on how much we have to be thankful for in CF. Exciting new resources were launched, designed to enrich and encourage our worship, growth, mission and outreach, e.g. Rev Sara Iles's new book 'Go Worship! Go out! Go wonder!' to help us connect with God through nature, Being Congregational & GIFT courses, youth adventures & mission events. It has been said often that beauty is all around us. Wherever we are, whether indoors or outside, when we truly look we can find things to be grateful for which lift us out of the mundane and into God's presence. So, take a minute to stop, look and listen for “wow!” moments. Is there something that makes you smile, encourages you or inspires you, for which you are grateful? When you find it, offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord who loves you, is watching over you and has you in His hands.

Ruth Leeming