Thrive & FlourishSample

Choose Gratitude and Generosity

Generous people give their time, talents, finances, wisdom and experience to others without expecting anything in return; they have a lifestyle that continually rehearses the habit of giving. There is no doubt that many people have an active compassion for doing good in life. 

While giving money is an important factor in our generosity because it helps us with stewardship and accountability, building an overarching generous life-attitude is more to do with practicing gratitude and compassion intentionally as part of our everyday rhythms. Real generosity of heart and spirit comes from a daily inner sense of abundance, repeatedly noticing just how much we have to be thankful for, and developing an active compassion for others and for our world.  

Thriving communities are made up of people who are deeply thankful for what they have. They express that gratitude to God, to each other and to the world, both in word and deed. 

Today I can choose to express gratitude and to practice generosity to someone in my community. Today I can choose to recognize how much I've been given, instead of focusing on what I feel I lack. Today, whatever dark or difficult situations I face, I can choose to recognize the gift of life that has been given to me, and I can choose to become more present to the gift of today. 

As I give thanks, I can choose to recognize the myriad of opportunities I have, and give back to others and the planet that sustains the miracle of life.

Prayer: Lord help me to continually cultivate an attitude that shows gratitude and generosity to others. May I be known as a generous person willing to give myself to others in such a way that authentically demonstrates your Kingdom. Thank you Lord that you so loved humanity that you gave yourself willingly so that we might know life in all its fullness.