A NOTE ON GRATITUDE

One of the most common trait that we teach our kids is to say ‘thank you’. We tell them to be grateful when receiving a gift, taking a compliment and praying to God. ‘Good manners’ is often associated when children are heard saying this wonderful phrase.


But I remember when I was still small, I felt so embarrassed to speak out when receiving a compliment. In the old school, Filipino children are seldom given the chance to respond freely to their elders. This probably deterred my spontaneity in expressing how I felt. Most of the time, my parents were there to speak on my behalf.


And this probably contributed more, on being unable to say ‘thank you’ naturally as I was growing up. In the western world on the other hand, ‘thank you’ is as common as saying ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ to a complete stranger. Fortunately, exposure to other cultures influenced me to do the same eventually.


For us Catholics, a grateful heart is believed to open the gates of heaven and receive the grace of God. When we remember to thank Him for every little thing that we receive each day, it goes back to remind us that He is a God whom we can trust. That He is our Father who always knows what is best for His children. And without Him by our side, our lives will be in constant chaos.


When we pray, it is known that the two most common emotions that inspire us spiritually are love and gratitude. These feelings that we experience towards God enable us to sense His loving presence constantly. The Holy Bible contains numerous verses from the Old to the New Testament validating this belief. And it is because of our faith, we know that whatever comes our way God is in control. We may not be able to always see the light at the moment of difficulty, but we are confident that His grace will manifest in His own perfect time. In the end we always realize that trials, which cross our paths, are blessings in disguise after all. So regardless of how heavy the cross that we bear, we must continuously live our lives in praise and thanksgiving for His generous and loving heart.


(1 Chronicles 16:34) “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”