Your goodness brings forth fruit for all to enjoy.
Your compassion brings the earth’s harvest, feeding the hungry.
You cause the grass to grow for livestock,
along with the fruit, grains, and vegetables to feed mankind.
You provide sweet wine to gladden hearts.
You give us daily bread to sustain life,
giving us glowing health for our bodies.
Psalm 104:13b-15 The Passion Translation
To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God
in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything.
Every breath we draw is a gift of His love,
every moment of existence is a grace,
for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted,
is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening
to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.
For the grateful person knows that God is good,
not by hearsay but by experience.
And that is what makes all the difference.
Thomas Merton
As the earth lets its new plants grow,
and as a garden causes the things planted in it to grow,
in the same way, the Lord God will cause what is right and good and
words of praise to grow up in front of all the nations.
Isaiah 61:11 New Life Version (NLV)
If only you could see the whole picture,
if you knew the whole story,
you would realize that no problem ever comes to you that
does not have a purpose in your life,
that cannot contribute to your inner growth.
Peace Pilgrim
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11-12New Living Translation
Thank you, God, for this good life
and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
Garrison Keillor