Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill and Mary Ramerman
Friday, May 29
from Brian:
Thomas Merton said of gratitude, “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 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.” Not by hearsay, but by experience. What does that mean to you? I can tell you what it means to me and that is being spiritually awake. To know, means I must be an active participant with God’s love for me. God loves us regardless of our acknowledgment, but what makes all the difference is when we pause and are grateful. One of the greatest prayers is to pause and say thank you.
Over the years I have had the joy of surrounding myself with people who are devoted to a path of awakening and healing. I think of these people as my tribe and my family, they just get me, and we help keep each other stay honest and spiritually fit. One of the ways we do this is by writing a gratitude list. When we write something down it is unavoidable. I can easily minimize or forget to be grateful, but when I write it down and share it with another person my attitude is immediately lifted. I remember being in my late twenties and beginning to do a lot of deep healing work with a trusted friend. She would patiently listen to me as I talked about painful experiences in my past, cried, and complained about current situations. I was annoyed when she asked me to write a list of 20 things I am grateful for and to do this every day. I was horrified. My first thought was, what do I have to be grateful about? I work in job I don’t like, I’m perpetually single, I’m angry at the people that have harmed me, and this is a huge waste of my time. How’s that for openness? My willingness to be truly happy was greater than my doubt so I did as she asked. At first it was really hard to find 20 things each day to be grateful for, but it wasn’t long before my attitude began to shift and I started to feel lighter. I went from looking at the world and my life as deprivation and began to experience abundance. I was suddenly grateful for people, experiences, and things that I once took for granted. I started to say thank you when I turned on the faucet and clean drinkable water came out.
When we pause and are grateful, we are deepening our connection to God’s love for us and others. We create a space within that sees opportunity where there was once emptiness. We are transformed and healed by each breath of thankfulness. Each day is living experience of God—a moment to moment divine embrace.
I am grateful for this past month. I am thankful Rev. Mary asked me to join her and I am thankful I said yes. I am grateful to all of you who took the time to read these posts and comment with such honesty and depth. You have helped me to grow and feel connected during this time of uncertainty and distancing. What are you grateful for? Has there been a person in your life that has helped you to focus on gratitude? How do you stay awakened to gratitude?
from Mary:
If I were to name the one gift that has most transformed the past three months for me, it would be gratitude. When I begin my morning with an awareness of the beauty of nature that surrounds me, when I remember the people in my life that love me, when I notice that I am fed and housed and clothed, my focus turns away from what I don’t have to what is present. Rather than a sense of loss, I feel full of thankfulness. Gratitude helps me to be aware of the blessings in my life. It transforms my day.
But life can be much more difficult than the challenges that Covid-19 has presented. We may not find ourselves surrounded by beauty. Our loved ones may have died. We may be suffering from oppression and racism. We may not feel very thankful for what’s happening now. And yet, we are still grateful.
After 9/11, a firefighter’s wife called him as he headed home after a long day at Ground Zero. She said to him, “Honey I’d really like to make you a special dinner tonight. What can I cook for you?” He said, “I don’t want you to cook anything.” He said, “All I want to do when I get home, I want our whole family to come together, and I want to get down on our knees and I want to thank God for our life. We need to teach our children how to thank God.”
Gratitude doesn’t depend on a certain set of circumstances. It is much more than a response to a sunny day or a good meal. Those things might bring a smile to my face, but they are not the source of the deep gratitude I have for life itself. This kind of gratitude does not come from external events, but from within my heart.
St. Paul said, “I have learned in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know how to live in humble circumstances, and I know how to live in abundance. In every circumstance I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. “
Gratitude comes when I put all my trust in God. When I know that whatever happens, that God will use it to help me, and use me to help the world. When bad things have happened to me, like my younger brother’s sudden death or losing my job or watching children suffer, the pain was tremendous. I felt anger, fear, and depression. But I knew God was with me, and the gratitude I felt in my heart matched the depth of the pain.
I believe each of us have a mission in life, a reason we are here. The hardships we face and the challenges we have prepare us in a unique way to serve others. Many times, I have balked at having to endure a difficult time, but later in my life, I have been grateful for what I learned from it. Knowing that God is always with me…that I am forever God’s child…allows me to put my trust in God. Because I trust God, I am grateful for all things.
As I write this last May meditation, I want you to know how thankful I am for each of you that have journeyed with us this month. It’s been an incredible blessing to take time each day to reflect and write and share these prayers. Knowing that you were praying with us, encouraging one another, and then sharing your own spirituality in the comments was amazing. I feel connected to you in a way that we don’t often get to experience in our casual conversations. I’m especially grateful to Brian for partnering with me and offering his deep spirituality and sense of humor. And ultimately, I humbly thank God, Mary, Jesus and the modern prophets for their inspiring messages and presence. We are simply the messengers for their love.
27 Comments
Kathy K.
Thank you! ☪👍
Anne schrader
Thank you both for your sharings.
You added so much warmth, love, and insight to my days of quarantine. I wish I could express my gratitude to you and give you something in return. sending warm hugs to you and prayers.
I’ll miss you
Mary Ramerman Author
Warm hugs are perfect! Thanks Anne, I hope we get a chance to do this again in the future.
Love, Mary
Sarah Brownell
After living in Haiti, I am grateful for the washing machine every time I use it. (LOL) Also grateful for my Spiritus Community. Thank you Mary and Brian for the inspiration!
Mary Ramerman Author
We need to hear more Haiti stories, Sarah…they have a lot to teach us about gratitude.
Love, Mary
Kathy Hanson
Beyond GRATEFUL to the two of you for your beautiful love shared in your words of wisdom! THANK you for keeping us connected, and helping us to go a little deeper each day to find & share our gifts that God has given to each one of us👍♥️
Mary Ramerman Author
Thanks Kathy, for being here with us. Love, Mary
Barb
Thank you, Mary. Thank you Brian. God has truly spoken to us through you. One of the many gems you have delivered from God to me is to practice staying in present time so as not to miss out on other messages around me, and other people chosen to deliver them, and to be present and willing should God choose to have me deliver a message to someone else. “I can pay attention” was a quote you used from Mary Oliver Amen to that!
Well done to both of you!
Barb
Mary Alice
Rev. Mary and Brian you have touched my heart deeply with your morning inspirational writings. I shall miss your daily thoughts. I am so grateful that I have found Spiritus. Thank you both for being you.
Lucille
Thank you what a wonderful journey this has been.
Jennie
So appreciative and in gratitude to both of you for sharing your thoughts and inspirations. I have shared a number of your postings with others within my circle. Very helpful during these unprecedented times. GOD BLESS and be well. ❤️❤️
Mary Ramerman Author
Thanks for sharing the meditations with others, Jennie. I’m happy that others get to receive some of the beautiful prayers that we were able to put in the blog.
Love, Mary
Judene Scheidt
Thank you Mary and Brian. Your daily blog has touched me so deeply, and I appreciate all the vulnerability, time, and reflection that you devoted to it. <3
Judy Simser
Thank you Mary and Brian so much for your thoughtful and inspiring posts. Ending the month on gratitude was perfect. Lots of love
Mary Ramerman Author
Thanks Judy and Terry…for being so present and supportive…I’m grateful. Love, Mary
Karen Keenan
Dear Mary and Brian, thank you so much for the beautiful gifts of these offerings. These meditations fill me with an inner stillness and peace that I carry with me into the rest of the day.
Claire Benesch
Dear Mary and Brian, you are both very gifted! I have loved your daily meditations. They have given me much to reflect on. I am sorry to see them end. Thank you! Thank you! God bless you both.
Mary Ramerman Author
Claire
Thank you for letting us know they were valuable to you. I hop we can do this again in the future.
Love, Mary
Colleen Fox-Salah
I am grateful for you both, Mary and Brian. Thank you for opening your hearts to us and for welcoming us to open our hearts to each other. It’s was a rare opportunity. This month of posts provided such special and needed sustenance, and I was deeply fed. I look forward to the day we can connect in person. I’d love to hug you both:-)
Mary Ramerman Author
Yes…hugs and meeting you in person are something I’m looking forward to!
Love, Mary
Francene C McCarthy
Dear Rev Mary and Brian,
Many years ago when I saw “White Christmas” for the first time the song lyrics “when I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep” resonated deeply within me and became my nightly prayer practice. I often fall asleep not knowing where I left off and if I awaken during the night I just continue. Adopting an attitude of gratitude is such a gift to myself and others around me.
Brian, I loved “Each day is a living experience of God, a moment to moment divine embrace.” It spoke to my heart and soul.
Rev. Mary I loved , “Gratitude comes when I put all my trust in God” and how it helps me and then helps me to help the world. I am so grateful that you have shared your heart and soul with me this month.
Thank you, merci, danke, gracius!
Love and blessings,
Mary Ramerman Author
Dear Fran,
Your comments have been a guiding star for me as you often tell us how the meditations are impacting you. As first-time bloggers, it was helpful to have your encouragement. I’m very happy we found a way to share some of the beautiful prayers with more people. I look forward to seeing you in person soon, I hope.
Love, Mary
Rick French
Wow, bummed this is the last meditations you two are writing. Your personal sharing and experiences of God are so helpful. It took courage to write about some of the matters you two wrote about I am guessing. Covid time has been an incredible opportunity for the cracks that opened up in us to be used to express ourselves in actions of gratitude. Your writings helped me to use those cracks in my heart to act on the gifts in my life. Thank you.
Brian O'Neill
Thank you, all for the thoughtful comments. I have gown so much in the past month because of your participation. I am very grateful. Love, Brian
Michelle Maureen Hood
This has been so wonderful. Thank you both for sharing your faith journeys, your wisdom and your time.
Sue Spoonhower
Rev.Mary and Brian, thank you so much! I loved reading your stories and thoughts. Your words resonated and increased my awareness of Grace in my life.
jeanneutter
I want to thank both of you for your words and inspiration. These blogs are something I have looked forward to everyday this month. Today’s topic of gratitude hit right at home for me. I have been making a gratitude list almost every night for for the last couple of years. Even during some of the darkest days I was able to see God’s grace and love in the people around me and always in nature. Frequently I do say and have been saying little thank you’s through out the day. I also appreciate the idea of simplicity and seeing abundance in what you already have, and through that continue to develop my conscious contact with God. I am grateful to have had this opportunity to learn from the two you. I am going to miss this…
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