Gratitude and Hebrews 11

Our staff at St. Paul spends a lot of time talking about gratitude...what we're grateful for, and how it's important to express that gratitude. Admittedly, gratitude isn't always my first instinct. I sometimes gripe before I express my gratitude. But I'm learning here, in this community of gratitude, how much I have to be thankful for.

So...the other day during Confirmation at St. Paul, Pastor Heather did this activity based on Hebrews 11 and the great cloud of witnesses that we are surrounded by in our lives. Hebrews 11 is full of examples of "witnesses" of the faith...people who have gone before us and demonstrated life centered in God. Hebrews 12:1 tells us the point of chapter 11: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us..." After reading this verse in Confirmation, Pastor Heather had the Confirmation class write names of their own "Cloud of Witness" on a piece of paper. Our poster was soon full of names of people who had helped to form faith in us, who had helped us to "run with perseverance."

I was talking later with Reverend Spears about this activity. I found it meaningful and inspiring. I was reflecting with her on my own Cloud of Witnesses, and also reflecting on gratitude. I made a comment to Heather about how grateful I was for those people who have gone before me in faith, and who have intentionally instilled faith in me. It is these people that I am most grateful for. As I think of all the reasons that I have to be grateful, my Cloud of Witnesses is my number one reason for gratitude.

I am grateful for these people because, I am sure, that I wouldn't be a person of faith without them. I would not be in ministry without them. These are folks who read the bible with me, who prayed for me, who befriended me and hugged me, who taught me to sing and speak the faith. They modeled Christian living for me with authenticity and integrity. They have forgiven my frailties and failings, and shared their own vulnerabilities with me. They have recognized gifts in me, and encouraged me to use those gifts for God's glory and not for my own.

So, I guess this blog is a shout out to them...to my own Cloud of Witnesses. An opportunity to express my gratitude. Thanks to you all...too many to name...who have walked with me on this journey. I am forever grateful.

What about you? Who is in your Cloud of Witnesses? Who or what are you most grateful for? And have you expressed your gratitude lately?