Gratefulness in Abundance
By Terese Stevenson, Vice President of The Rees-Jones Foundation
As we live out our call to serve others as part of an amazing non-profit community- it is easy to sometimes fall into a scarcity mindset- constantly thinking of all the reasons why not, obsessing on the deficits, or fussing over the shortfalls. We are constantly considering problem solving solutions to overcome the lack of whatever it is would help improve the lives of others. We can also bring this thinking into our own daily lives related to our own personal struggles.
It is reality that in the physical world there is brokenness. We seek wholeness and flourishing and we don’t always understand the way things work for some and not for others. And true flourishing might sometimes seem beyond our grasp to fully realize.
How can we turn this scarcity mindset around to focus on the actual abundance that we have already been blessed with, that we sometimes miss seeing or acknowledging? The season of Thanksgiving calls us to take on a spirit of gratitude. And surely we should do this every day of the year.
Gratitude is a practice that helps us perceive the goodness and richness of our human experience. Henry Ward Beecher once wrote, “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” Through living out a practice of thanksgiving, we are called to see all the riches we, and those we serve already have. In this practice, we see that God has given us everything we need to live out a joyous abundant life. As we count small blessings and victories, a perspective focused on gratitude helps us realize we actually live in environments of abundance, and therefore, we give thanks. We come to know that counting blessings can help us endure even the most daunting circumstances.
We may not always have unlimited resources, but we each have been given blessings of giftedness in talents and in specific personal callings. We do not have a scarcity of ability and resilience; we all actually have these good things to put to work. We have been given creativity, boldness and courage, sound minds, discernment and perseverance. And the communities we serve have true assets and neighbors that offer a richness of life experience and wisdom that are true treasures. This is something to be truly thankful for.
As believers, to have an abundance mindset is to trust that God’s generosity is more than enough for us, no matter what situation we are in—whether in need or plenty. “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13). Our life does not solely consist of an abundance of earthly possessions but confidence in the abundance of God’s ability. “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Let’s join together in taking on a spirit of true gratitude as we enter this season of thankfulness. Let’s not just list the things we’re thankful for; let’s live in constant gratefulness of those blessings. A life focused on God-given abundance can be an amazing journey, an ever-unfolding gift that we can live out ourselves and pass on to those around us. So, as we gather around the table this year, and as we face a new year of work and of service, let’s embrace the fullness of gratitude and enrich our lives and the lives of others with the abundance it brings.