Godspeed: An Attitude of Gratitude
By Dcn. Jim Corder
I can tolerate just about anything on the radio, from "elevator
music" to rap. I like all types of music. Well, almost all
types. I'll be honest -- I really can't stand country music! So this month
I decided to challenge myself a bit, and attempt to share some thoughts
on a song by the Dixie Chicks.
I should start by acknowledging that, over the past few months, the Dixie
Chicks have received a lot of negative press. They said some things that
were very critical -- and to many people, very disturbing -- about President
Bush. This article in no way supports such statements. This article is
simply about a song.
Do you ever “blame” God?
Godspeed little man
Sweet Dreams little man
Oh, my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)
The
next song to be released as a single by the mega-hit wonders, the Dixie
Chicks, is called Godspeed. This ballad has helped me to reflect
on the notion of gratitude. Gratitude is something that is sometimes difficult
to express, especially when we are talking about how we express gratitude
to God.
When something negative happens in our lives, it is easy to blame God.
We tend to wonder why we are "challenged" so much in life when
God is supposed to be so good. Health issues, death of loved ones, financial
situations, poor grades -- they are all things that can sometimes lead
us to think that God has abandoned us.
But how do we feel when all of the goodness that life has to offer comes
knocking at our door? When life is good do we tend to "blame"
God? Do we give God credit for the victories of life or are we only willing
to give him the bad? Or do we usually forget?
The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon we'll find the mouse
And I love you
How often do you say “Thank You”?
One of the gifts God has given that I am so appreciative of has to do
with my son Jeffrey. His desire and his expression of his love for me
is so tremendous that I often find myself daydreaming of playing catch
or Playstation -- just doing something together with him.
When he and I are alone, whether it is in the car or outside in the backyard,
he shares so many of his thoughts and dreams with me that it just makes
my heart fill with love for him. Sometimes at night, I even sneak into
his room and give him a hug and say a prayer, thanking God for him.
Now that isn’t to say that we always see eye to eye, which is why
it is important for me remember to thank God. I need to thank God for
such a wonderful son, who wants to spend so much time with me. His love
for me makes me feel special, and I love him just as much in return. Such
a love must be holy, and I need to express my gratitude to God and to
Jeffrey.
Dragon tales and the Water is Wide
Pirates sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Expressing gratitude to others is also something that is important. We need to remember to express gratitude to the people active and involved in our lives. But think about that for a moment. The list of people who influence our lives includes brothers and sisters, parents, spouse, coworkers, children, teachers, other students, members of sports teams, coaches, youth group members, adult leaders, ministers, etc. Trying to thank every one of them for the good things they do for you is a huge task!
Challenge: Say a Prayer of Thanksgiving each night
Yet it is important for us to be thankful for all of the people and events in our lives. It is important to tell those people what they mean to us and to say a prayer of thanksgiving each night. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. It can be something as simple as praying, "God I want to thank you for so-and-so!" This is different from saying, "God I need this and that!"
Let us say prayers that sound like we aren’t asking for more, but simply thanking God for the wonderful gifts that we already have.
If I follow my own advice, I guess I'll have to say a prayer of thanksgiving for country music, because it was a song by the Dixie Chicks that reminded me to be grateful. I guess God really can use anything to bring about good!
God bless Mommy and matchbox cars
God bless Dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "amen" wherever we are
And I love you
According to Webster’s Dictionary, "gratitude" is defined
as "the state of appreciation and grateful; thankfulness."
There are so many things in life that we simply don’t appreciate
until they are at risk. Until I’m sick, I don’t appreciate my
health. Until I am older, I won’t appreciate my youth. Until I experience
someone dying close to me, I may not truly appreciate the people I love.
And what is really important is the Author of all of these things -- God.
“For me, prayer
is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple
glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of
gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy;
finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and
unites me to Jesus.” - St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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