Not Just on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I heard a story from a fellow seminarian a few years ago about an old woman he knew, named Viola, who probably had the most grateful heart he'd ever known. 

Every time Viola sat down to eat, she would bow her head and say, "Thank you, Spirit."  My friend asked asked her once why she did that since the food would be there even if she didn't thank Spirit.  (My friend understands gratefulness, but wanted to hear the woman's story.)

"Oh, sure, I have food, but it makes everything taste better to be grateful. Looking for good things is a kind of game an old preacher taught me to play.  Take this morning.   I woke up and thought, What's there to praise Spirit for today?  You know what?  I couldn't think of a thing!  Then from the kitchen came the most delicious odor that ever tickled my nose.  Coffee!  'Much obliged, Spirit, fo the coffee,' I said, "and thank you, too, for the smell of it!'"

Many years later, my friend saw this woman on her deathbed (he was now her minister).  He could see a lot of pain on her face, and he admitted the question popped into his mind of whether she could find anything to be grateful about at this time. 

Just then she opened her eyes.  As she saw him and the others gathered around, she folded her hands and said with a smile, "Thank you, Spirit, for such fine friends."


Blessings,
Asterysk