The low winter sun produces floodlit grass and highlights last summer's leaves, and that long straight path through one open gate to another suggesting opportunity, possibility, and each of them an invitation to keep walking.
As an old preacher used to say, "and that's a bit like life".
Each day a different view, the changing of the seasons, a path to be walked in all weathers, and so much to enjoy if we are open to seeing, listening, paying attention and regularly polishing that lens that enables us to look at our place in the world with some joy and more hope – gratitude.
Or so it seems to me…and so it seemed to George Herbert in his poem 'Gratefulnesse'. The older spelling and form allows for a slow enunciation, and time to recall the theological sub-structure, that grace, gift and gratitude occupy the same semantic field. 'Gratefulnesse', try it for yourself.
'Gratefulnesse':
Thou that hast given so much to me,
give one thing more, a grateful heart.
See how thy beggar work on Thee,
By art
Not thankful when it pleaseth me;
As if Thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart whose pulse may be
Thy praise
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