Gratitude Scan

 

      A good process to do each day is a scan. Take a look around you and consider where you are and what things you notice anew. Close your eyes and take note of the things that are on your mind. Breath and pause for a moment, give thanks to God for all things. Don't force positivity, if there are things that you are uncertain of or find painful, mention those as well. Ask for God to show you the elements of gratitude that you are not seeing. Of course, this process is easy when things are going really well. When things are in ruin all around you, it might be hard to list more than a few things that you are thankful for. Move your "gaze" outward--who is around you, perhaps not physically. 

     In today's reading, Timothy is that one that Paul considers in his corner. He is in prison (again). Paul sees his gratitude as something that is extendable and transferrable. This is a byproduct of love and a mature faith. Gratitude also matures faith by stretching it to see what was invisible yesterday.

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

We thank you loving God for all the ways that you are with us and blessing us this day... Guide us to see your work and presence...We lift all these to you in humble gratitude. We pray for the things and relationships that are amiss and a mess...We thank you for your attention and guarding for things and processes that we can not see. We pray your help and leading with those that we lift before you...We praise you for all your goodness. In Christ we pray. Amen.