In Everything Give Thanks

Whew, God, that worked out. Thank You.

Would you have said thank You if it hadn’t worked out?

Oh. Uh, no. Probably not. I’m sorry. We are supposed to thank You for everything, right? No matter what happens?

No, no. Not FOR everything, IN everything. IN everything give thanks. In every circumstance, you can find reasons for gratitude, things to give thanks for. This misunderstanding has caused much harm. People assume they are supposed to be thankful for disasters, for pain, for war, for abuse, for horrific crimes. Of course you can’t give thanks for that—and even if you tried, I would not receive your thanksgiving because I cannot rejoice over these things Myself. But as you have learned, you can always find something to feel and express gratitude for, in any circumstance. You can look for the slightest glimpse of joy. You can be alert to the least motion of love in your direction. You can take one breath, in and out, focused on peace, for those few seconds. Please DON’T give thanks FOR everything. But please, please, make gratitude foundational in your life, and give thanks IN everything.

Do you know why I asked you, asked all humans, to give thanks IN everything? Because thanksgiving changes you. Because I Am always trying to break into every human conversation, every confusion, every dilemma, with more love, more peace, more joy, more unity. Gratitude opens your mind and heart to receive. You know this; you have lived this. Gratitude focuses the attention, even in sorrow, even in hardship, and helps to illuminate a different way, a different course of action, another choice. Once you make the first choice, to give thanks IN everything, other choices become more evident, more possible.