An Attitude of Gratitude

(this is the last in a series of Lenten Meditation on forgiveness — for background, resources, and an approach to using these meditations, please check the About the Meditations page. If you are reading/engaging with these meditations, please do let me know. Pastor David)
 
Prayer
Patient, compassionate God, open to me the heart of forgiveness. Fire in me the courage to see honestly my true needs and those of others. Inspire in me creative responses that claim and champion our shared humanity. Give me grace to forgive and to accept forgiveness.
 
Meditation
Gratitude: Gratitude helps bring us to a place of acceptance that is the final stage of forgiveness. Coming to that place of forgiveness, in turn, fills us with further gratitude. An attitude of gratitude is a remembrance of blessing, of God’s grace, of God’s presence even in times when we are feeling far from blessed. Have we felt anger toward one who has hurt us? a desire to extract some repayment? or self-loathing for being in this situation in the first place? Even in the turmoil of such feelings, something may turn our thoughts to God and to gratitude; someone may be for us the incarnation of God’s loving, accepting presence.

For me, thought of God almost always brings perspective to any situation. Most often I find myself smiling at least a little. I remember, I just know in my bones, that always God has opened for me a way forward—usually straight through in honest feeling and understanding of all the hurts and failings in myself and others. And I’m grateful for that sense of assurance—again this time a way will open. That gratitude gives the balance and stability needed to risk, to begin opening the door of deep forgiveness.
 
Call to Mind both the sorrows and the gratitudes you feel right now. Try writing them down, maybe five or ten things that are griefs for you, and five or ten things for which you are grateful.
 
Imagine Jesus is with you (picture him anyway you like), or perhaps just picture a close friend sitting by you. Read out your lists. Notice how it feels to be simply heard and accepted, the pains and the joys alike.
 
Check-in with your feelings. Are you relaxed, or clenched up? What thoughts arise? Are you able to keep, or reestablish touch with your peaceful, beloved center?
 
Gratitude, Hopes, Prayers: Reflect a moment more on your own experience of forgiveness. If you feel grateful, say thank you. What further hopes rise up in you? do you have a prayer you would offer to God?
 
Psalm 134
A Song of Ascents.

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord.
3 May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
 
Benediction Prayer
May I know, again and again and always, that God loves me. May I grow in trust in God’s peace that passes all understanding. May I taste God’s goodness, rest in God’s peace, and find courage and strength in a grateful heart.  Amen.