The state of being grateful

I was asked to speak yesterday in my local church congregation about gratitude. I definitely believe this is one of the most important virtues that one can develop. The president of our church has spoken time and again about the importance of gratitude and has recently exhorted us to “relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.”

Many of those in my generation and in the generations younger than me suffer from the curse of entitlement. We think that we deserve everything without paying the price to earn it. Resentment, discouragement, depression, and pride usually follow closely on the heels of entitlement. Sincere and lasting gratitude is the remedy to many of these ills that are quickly overcoming our society.

This opportunity to speak about gratitude gave me a chance to reflect on all the many blessings that I currently have in my life. I came up with a list of things that I am grateful for that I have gone without during some period in the last few years:

Warm weather in November
Washers and dryers
Good health
Easily accessible food
A cell phone
The ability to communicate with the people around me
The luxury of throwing toilet paper in the toilet instead of in the wastebasket
A car that miraculously made it across the country
Heating and air conditioning
A permanent address
Clean surroundings
Nice clothes
Hot water
Money
A bed that is not covered in plastic

However, there is one thing that I am especially grateful for above all of these material comforts. Although I was in one of the most populated nations in the world, I spent a lot of time alone when I was living in India. Since I have started my program here, many of my hours have been spent cloistered in the various libraries on campus, studying. Being alone a lot and far away from good friends and family has caused me to realize how important human contact and relationships are for me in my life. The older I get, the more I value these relationships.

I am very grateful for the multitude of amazing people in my life (like those of you who read this blog); I am most grateful this holiday season for the individuals that God has led me to know and for my relationships with them.

The fundamental genius of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can not be saved alone. It is through our families and our relationships with others that we ultimately must come unto Christ. May we all work to create more profound and lasting relationships with those we love this holiday season.