In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus declares, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” And while He was never a prisoner, He was taken captive and later crucified. Yet in instructing us to visit the prisoner, He is telling us we would be visiting and witnessing Him, our Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, one of the most neglected fields to witness are those behind bars. My sincere gratitude to gratefulness.org for bringing to light, the need for us to be more proactive in visiting and witnessing the imprisoned, for in doing so we are simultaneously glorifying our Creator in Heaven!

My deepest appreciation to all of you for this inspiring meditative video. As I listened to it, I found beauty in all six blessings primarily because collectively it provides us with a sense of interwoven connectedness to life itself! It presents a hopeful canvas of who we are: breathing the same air that keeps us alive; the need to live among others in an unassuming manner; the realization that we live in an imperfect yet hopeful world; thankful that a greater power gives us a mind and heart to change it to a better one; and that in so doing, we can help to bring about a healthier and loving environment for those coming after us as we gracefully prepare for our own departure.

Kristi,
I love your essay! It inspires me and provides me direction on my personal downsizing journey towards someday becoming a full-fledged minimalist. You are correct that “Grateful living asks us to purposefully direct our awareness to notice all that is already fully present and abundant in our lives — “. While at times it may be a difficult to do, it is an absolute necessity in order to move forward. And I am in total agreement with your conclusion that “When we are awake to all that is enough in our lives, we can turn our attention beyond ourselves from a place of contentment”. Indeed, it is at this point that we can truly and obediently serve the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, as proclaimed in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”. Kristi, your inspirational words are appreciated! I remain gratefully yours.

The eight days practice in receiving and sharing blessings is an unforgettable journey. Everyday I looked forward with anticipation, the newness of another subject as a source of blessing for all of us. The varying topics encouraged and inspired me to look deep within to visualize and determine in which manner I experienced them as a true blessing for myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ. In addition, a deep appreciation and connection was felt to the comments and feelings expressed by fellow contributors in this practice. At times, I found the need to affirm to others and know that affirmations made on my behalf are appreciated and soothing to the heart! I am truly thankful and blessed to have participated in this endeavor! Sincere expressions of gratitude go to gratefulness.org for making it possible! Blessings to all of you!

The surf is reminiscent of Christ miraculously walking on water. It is a constant reminder that all things are possible with Him and that we, too, can collectively reach the mountaintop of glory as long as we remain focused on Him, His will, and the purpose for which He has designated our individual lives. We are eternally grateful for His unconditional love, unquestionable favor, and everlasting blessings. It is the desire of my heart that we be recipients of His blessings that we may truly find within us, peace, love, and joy!

Gardens are true blessings to mankind. They are the source of beauty to behold for they exhibit to the eye splendorous shades of color in varying majestic shapes and forms of flowers. They add sweetness to the atmosphere and provide nectar to the birds and bees. And in a vase, they bring joy and soothing comfort to those ailing in hospitals and nursing homes. Gardens truly represent hope in that what is buried in them in death, like a tiny seed, can produce the likes of a large, magnificent, red mum or a fresh, juicy, plump tomato. Most significantly and above all, the garden is symbolic of the abundant life, that which Christ proclaims to all His faithful followers! May all of you be truly blessed with the beauty, the splendor, the joy, the hope, and the good nourishment to your bodies that a well tended garden can provide.

I submit my reflection in the form of a free form poem as follows:

THE GRACE OF TEARS
by Jason Rodriguez
July 3, 2019

(“Jesus wept.”) John 11:35

Jesus, You have wept!
Grant me that experience of tears …
That in my joy, in my pain,
And in my depths of sadness,
That I may shed their flow …
And, that in those very moments, I,
May get to see and know You, Lord …
Know and understand Your purpose!
And with all my senses,
With all my heart, and soul, and mind …
Experience the love You have for me,
Indeed the love you have for all …
Humanity! Thanks be to You Lord!

Kitchen noises, to me, as a child growing up on the farm are reminiscent of different events depending on the time and season of the year. During school months, they alerted me for the need to start the day by feeding the farm animals, milking the cow, then eating breakfast and getting ready for a long walking journey with friends to school. Though far away, the daily round trip was bearable all due to having time to exchange ideas while enjoying the surroundings consisting of farm land, a levee, a bridge, and an old railroad track, Upon arrival to school, the goal was clear: to learn for the first time the English language: how to read, write cursive, and do math. During the spring and fall, weekends, holidays, and summer months meant starting the day early for different reasons: tilling, planting, hoeing, harvesting fruits and vegetables, and picking cotton. Kitchen noises were a blessing inasmuch as they prompted me to receive many other blessings in return, such as experiencing the brightness and beauty of the dawning of a new day, providing nourishment to the animals, and tilling the soil, both of which alternately provided food and drink on the table for the family and neighbors. As to the school learning, it enriched me by enabling me to eventually learn a second language and ultimately enhanced my ability to read, understand, and appreciate God’s Word! I am indeed grateful for the blessings of kitchen noises, for they are the origin of multiple other blessings for the good of humanity!

Many decades ago, my first grade teacher patiently held my hand to cautiously guide me in learning cursive, a fast eroding artistic skill. Yet what my teacher did then was a gift and a blessing that lives on as I implement the skill with my own hands to write brief notes of comfort to the ill, an expression of appreciation to a son for a father’s day gift, or a word of encouragement to a friend in distress. Our God given hands are a blessing to those around us in so many gifted ways for they bring about in all of us interconnectedness, unity, peace of mind, comfort, a thankful heart, love, and hope.

I’ve struggled to envision dreams as blessings. And through those struggles, I’ve come to realize by way of the Holy Spirit that they are indeed blessings. They are God’s manifestations to bring us to His reality, His existence, and His presence, and ultimately to our seeing, hearing, and even feeling senses. He utilizes our dreams as a manner of instilling needed change in one’s heart, mind, and soul. And we begin to change to the good when we pause to listen to Him. I’ve come to learn and accept the reality that the uncomfortable, alarming, and scary dreams I may have endured in the midst of the night are not so bad after all, but a revelation that a loving God is trying to reach out to me to whisper in my ear to redirect my ways of thinking, to turn to prayer, and above all, to let me know that I’m never alone for He is always with me! I look forward to good dreams and I will not be deterred by bad ones, for both are true blessings from a loving God who is eternally preventing me from going astray! I am grateful to be able share these thoughts with you as I sincerely wish you an abundance of blessed dreams in your unique personal journeys!

Earlier, I had written and submitted a lengthy reflection on dreams as a blessing and eventually deleted it in error. Rather than trying to reconstruct and resubmitting it, I have chosen to respond to your submission. Like Cheryl, my heart too, was touched by your entry, Two Bible verses come to mind: “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30), and “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). Please know that my prayers are with you and my dream and vision for you is for you to feel better!