Gratitude, as we know, isn’t simply an emotion that happens to arise at times. It is an act of the will, an intentional resolve to have a good attitude, an effort to notice easily overlooked blessings.<\/p>\n
Teaching this past semester, in a bold and unprecedented move in a low church direction, I have opened class not with a carefully chosen collect, but with an invitation for students to voice spontaneously their petitions of praise, or lament, or thanksgiving. (After a few runs, though, the liturgist in me took over and I posted the format to begin the petition and wording of the communal response so it could become a properly organized litany.)<\/p>\n
I have been struck by the depth of the students’ offerings. Working from memory, I’m jotting down some things I’ve heard. Please add to this list in the commbox. We’ll take care of moving your petitions up into the post. What are you thankful for?<\/em><\/p>\n I give thanks for…
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