Reaching towards gratitude

Dinner church is a time to gather in fellowship and exploring in a relaxed atmosphere outside of the typical Sunday morning worship service. .

Recently our church, TheMightyLCUCC, came together with friends to talk about the things of life and God around a dinner table. We all know that sometimes in life it can feel disrupted by difficult and challenging circumstances.

During this last gathering we talked about the spiritual practice of finding the goodness in the world as a balm to the difficulties. Those reflections became a poem: Reaching Towards Gratitude.

This is a spiritual practice that can help in trying times to remember the goodness which surrounds us. It is the practice of naming or listing ten things you are thankful for and then thinking about something you may want to offer up in prayer.

We hope that from our Dinner Church gathering you can take this spiritual practice of reaching towards goodness. These are the things we are thankful for.

When the weight of life Feels heavy

There is a well of goodness

A place of gratitude

Inside each of us

You’ll find us there

Reaching for the goodness of life and humanity

At home in our wonderful church

A family of support where we are uplifted

A place where we are not afraid to love  

Authentically welcome

Enjoying the noises of childhood echoing

vibrating in our hearts

Holy presence, alive, dwelling in each soul

Church all over

Sanctuary of the Great Creator

God space all around

This God who always comes anyway

Within this Great Mystery

The cosmic knowing

There is no judgement

Blessed with family, long life and wonderful luck

The elixir of life, coffee

Friends, basketball

A place to call home

A wide-open door of returning

A warm place of comfort, care, compassion, and acceptance

Seasons of warmth stretching

History of growth

This come along faith

In the goodness of life

God, Ruach, Breath, Spirit, Christ in Jesus

With us,

Within us

We pray for all those who are suffering, struggling with loss, grief and emotional turmoil. We pray for this nation and world in this time of need. Grant us with the healing and unity we yearn for. Grant us spiritual knowing that You are with us all the days of this life and the eternal yet to come. In you O God, is our faith and hope for better days.

For when our eyes are on Your Goodness alive in us we can see the sunshine behind every cloud. Amen and Asè

An easy way to remember this spiritual practice: 10 Thank You’s and an Amen.