Without our own unique past experiences, we would not be the persons we are. The love we have received, the knowledge we have gained are all gifts from people who have influenced our lives. Some of these people are our families and friends. Others lived long before we were born and their ideas have influenced us from the distant past. To all these people, we owe our thanks. Most of us have received our faith from our parents and yet all of us owe a debt of gratitude to the original apostles of Jesus Christ. If they had not preached about Jesus, how would we have known about Him?
Part of the joy of life is in the realization of how much we have received from others, especially from those who have been closely bonded to us. This realization increases love, and the love deepens the bonds and through our gratitude, we come to understand more clearly who we are. Our lives are shaped by the experiences that help us to, in turn to be an instrument to shape another life, to share and be of genuine service to others.
I ask the Lord for the awareness to appreciate what I have received. What I have become is due largely to the wisdom and love which others have shared with me as a gift. I examine my life with gratitude but even when I try to recall my past, I can never be fully aware of how much I have received from God and from those who loved me. Without God's goodness and the goodness of others to help me, how would my own life have been good? May my gratitude deepen each passing day.
No comments:
Post a Comment