I emerged from my mother’s womb “like every person born enters the world: with clenched fists”. This line early in Ann Voskamp’s lovely book one thousand gifts (Zondervan) grabbed my attention last week.

I mentioned the door to my musty fruit cellar – how finally opening it and cleaning the mess behind it gave me great pleasure. Thanksgiving weekend gave me a chance to crack another door I get pleasure from opening – but not often enough.

The door of gratitude opens to constructive engagement with life – if I slow down enough to let it creak wider.

Opening my fists to receive, release, reconcile, give – all begins with gratitude for the wonder of what I have been given. My sense of entitlement and self-centredness remains undisturbed when the doorway of gratitude stays closed.

A Prayer for Today

Loving God, for a laugh with my spouse, for a child’s hug, for satisfying work, for an ice cream cone, for gentle reminders of your love – creation’s beauty, turkey at the family table, whipped cream, a good night’s sleep. Thank you for being the One who makes my gratitude meaningful and personal. Thank you for receiving my thanksgiving. For Jesus’ sake….