It hasn’t been a year.

I mean, it’s been a long time. For sure.

But it hasn’t been a year, since I shared a thought or two in this space.

So that’s something.

We’re all sort of looking for something, maybe even just anything, to hold on to and be grateful for. Count as blessing.

Yeah, it’s sorta become the thing you do these days – there’s blessing-counting going on all over the world just now.

But really? It’s been going on for quite some time. It might feel shiny-new like a penny fresh-minted, but it isn’t new.

Gratitude is, if you’ll pardon the expression, as old as the hills, and with good reason.

Because gratitude heals. Gratitude blesses. Gratitude changes not just the way you see things, but the things you see.

Corrective lens for the soul, maybe.

Which is sometimes all the soul needs. To know that all shall be well and has been well and will be well. Gratitude opens up the well. Opens up the eye to Grace-giver.

Opens the heart to feel the Presence, to know that grace really is always with you. And once you know this, well, you might just start believing with Julian of Norwich that “all shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well”.

Something.

Anything, really.

It really could be anything.

The sunrise. Steam from a mug of tea. That smile from the lady next door or the baby in the carriage or even the bent back of the man in the store looking for the perfect card to give his bride of fifty years.

Could very well be the way your teenager still calls you when he’s in trouble, even though he’s still calling you his enemy when it’s time for some hard parenting.

It could be the birds singing or the leaves falling or the fall coming again.

Really?“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” (~Julian of Norwich)

It’s all grace.

Grace.

Sinking – oh! finally! – into bed, pillows a welcome comfort and comforter offering a welcome after what you think just might’ve been the worst day you’ve ever had.

Grace.

Maybe even just this – finding strength (somewhere) to bite the tongue when what you’d really rather do is use it to give a good lashing. Which you really think is deserved.

Well. And isn’t that grace-upon-grace? Finding patience with the other, or maybe even yourself.

I think it is.

Patience-grace and kindness-grace, these are among the most beautiful.

I mean, coffee’s not bad either, of a morning when you’re really needing it.

And chocolate. That too.

Oh, yes. And also writing again. After not-a-year.

~xo,
LuAnne

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“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” (~Julian of Norwich) Gratitude changes everything. Including you.