Gratitude, a 10th Fruit of the Spirit
Where is the Holy Spirit present? There are nine ‘evidences’, called fruit of the Holy Spirit. I want to add an additional fruit and this will make an even 10 ? appropriate I think in a decimal age. In Galatians we read, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” (5: 24-25) We celebrate Pentecost today, the coming of the Spirit on the early church.
What about fruit number 10? I propose: gratitude. I was reading in the Weekend Australian magazine about David Pocock, our independent senator for the ACT. He begins his day with rigorous exercise, not surprising given his previous elite athlete status, but then he spends an allotted time for gratitude.
I believe that we as Christians are people most blessed by God. We know what Christ has achieved on our behalf and give thanks in worship. Importantly we can live our lives exhibiting gratitude, and this truly is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Gratitude and Memory
Gratitude is about remembering. Have we forgotten the freedoms we enjoy, those who lost their lives in the fight for our country and way of life, and do we take for granted our material advantages? Maybe we don’t realize that we have become forgetful because … when were things different?
Church is a place to keep memories alive. We have received grace that is neither earned nor deserved. This is why religious traditions can cultivate gratitude—litanies of remembrance encourage gratitude and as the recent coronation demonstrated the church can do ceremony well – preserving traditions centuries old. The scriptures, sayings, creeds, and sacraments-of-faith traditions inculcate gratefulness by drawing believers into a remembered relationship with God and with members of our faith community.
A French proverb states that gratitude is a memory of the heart.
I like the example of Eunice Sandborn who became the world’s oldest living person. She celebrated her 114th birthday 20 July 2010, at her church, First Baptist, in Jacksonville, Texas. Eunice said that she not only loves everything about her life, but she had “no complaints.” 114 years of life experience and “no complaints”. Could that be the secret for a long life?
Gratitude is the key to emotional prosperity. It is a link to happiness. And it frees us to be generous to others. On Thursday, November 27, 2003 President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq so that he could thank U.S. troops for their service. The President served Thanksgiving dinner to 600 soldiers. Speaking for the soldiers far from home, he said, “It’s got to be lonely for them. I thought it was important to send that message, that we care for them.” The visit was well received by the battle-worn soldiers, but it also surprised the President’s family, who were expecting him at his ranch in Texas.
To do: Celebrate Thanksgiving along with 200M Americans, it was their best idea to share with the world!
Another thought: When you are grateful, it is easy to forgive anyone that has hurt you.
To be utterly practical. Do two things if you are feeling low or discouraged. 1. Exercise. Do anything exercise you enjoy and get sweaty. It releases endorphins and lifts mood. 2. Gratitude meditation Make a list of 10 things that you can be grateful for and give thanks to God.
Be realistic. I have an incurable disease that will incapacitate me at some point in the future. I am not so spiritual to be pleased to have Parkinson’s Disease, but I am grateful that for me it progresses slowly, and I have found ways to manage it with medication and exercise. I was diagnosed at age 68, whereas Michael J Fox got the bad news before he was 29!
Today is Pentecost. We rejoice in the coming of the Comforter and Advocate: the Holy Spirit. Where is the Spirit present? Look for an abundance of gratitude!
Listen to Cece Winans & Nashville Life Music Team “Give Thanks“
While you listen to this music clip think of three things you are grateful for.
Now share what you are grateful for with the person sitting along side of you.
The Rev’d Dr Bruce A Stevens is a supply minister at GUC.