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A Post-Thanksgiving Call to Awareness and Gratitude

Steve · November 26, 2022 · 2 Comments

Dear friends, 

On this ordinary day just a few days past the American holiday of Thanksgiving, I write to share a reminder (in words and in the video below) that faith requires an ongoing commitment to this idea of Thanksgiving — to awareness and living with our eyes wide open to our blessings. Above all, to gratitude. 

We are called to recognize the holy when God puts it right before our eyes. It should be our life’s work to pay attention. I’m reminded of the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning: 

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.

God says to us: “Listen carefully. Become more aware of the world around you, of the people and circumstances and challenges that I place in your lives. I will meet you there in these ordinary things and then I will make the ordinary extraordinary for you. I will change you.”

Below is new video (created yesterday) of an older song by me and my colleague Phil Cooper. Enjoy. 

Blessings, Music, Nature, Prayer, Spirituality, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Judy says

    November 26, 2022 at 9:33 am

    As usual, beautiful – Thanks!

  2. Mary Ann says

    November 29, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    Awesome. Thank you

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About the Author

Steve Givens is a retreat and spiritual director and a widely published writer on issues of faith and spirituality. He is also a musician, composer and singer who lives in St. Louis, Mo., with his wife, Sue. They have two grown and married children and five grandchildren.

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Recent Posts

  • Does Faith Leave Us Open to Change?
  • Discovering Fire (Again): The Innovation of Love
  • Considering Holy Week
  • Celebrating 40 Years of Living Faith
  • Remembering Our Belovedness

Recent Posts

  • Does Faith Leave Us Open to Change?
  • Discovering Fire (Again): The Innovation of Love
  • Considering Holy Week
  • Celebrating 40 Years of Living Faith
  • Remembering Our Belovedness
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