Good morning…
2020 has been a doozie all over the world. Globally much has captured our collective concern, but today, September 21st, marks the annual holiday designed to spark our collective gratitude: World Gratitude Day. Why do we need a World Gratitude Day? Isn’t our collective gratitude expressed on Thanksgiving Day? Yes, but traditionally not all countries celebrate Thanksgiving. Besides the U.S. and Canada, there are only a handful of countries which celebrate an official day of thanks. This September 21st observance of World Gratitude Day gives every person in every country a chance to pause and to think about the people and the priorities for which we are thankful.
What are the roots beneath World Gratitude Day? The idea was birthed at the International East-West Center in Hawaii, a multi-cultural center which promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Over a Thanksgiving meal in 1965, attendees pledged to hold a Gratitude Gathering the following September 21st in their home countries. This tradition grew to become an annual event spreading across the globe. According to their website: “World Gratitude Day presents an award to someone who we feel has done something outstanding in the spirit of globalism.”
Globalism, at its core, seeks to understand the networks of connection that span multi-continental distances. Used by political scientists, the term globalism attempts to understand all the interconnections of the modern world—and to highlight the intricate patterns underlying our common bond. The opposite of globalism is isolationism, protectionism, seclusion, concealment, hiding, and withdrawal. Because of globalization, we are able to purchase goods more affordably in more parts of the world, we can communicate with individuals from all over the globe, and we are challenged to open our eyes to various cultures, which increases our understanding of one another.
Today, on World Gratitude Day 2020, if you were presenting an award to someone who has done something outstanding in the spirit of globalism, who would you choose to honor? Why this person? How might you express your gratitude for this influential person today?
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s continue to express our gratitude. With this gratitude, let’s serve in a way that is pleasing to God with respect and awe (Hebrews 12:28, CEB).
…Sue…
P.S. The person I choose to celebrate on World Gratitude Day 2020 is Corrine Adams, our talented artist friend who creatively captures “the intricate patterns underlying our common bond” as she shares with us her mesmerizing photos. Visit her collection at www.corinneadamsart.com. Thank you, Corinne, for your life-giving Spirit.
P.S.S. For those enjoying our interactive, God-guide companion study of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift from the Sea, here is Week Two.
Week Two
Segment One: To Write or Not to Write https://northsidechurch.typeform.com/to/ji2j6ViS
Segment Two: Cloister and Connect https://northsidechurch.typeform.com/to/aHYRpxVI
Segment Three: Retreat and Return https://northsidechurch.typeform.com/to/YwGBJW7o
Segment Four: Empty to be Filled https://northsidechurch.typeform.com/to/zxVvozuN
Segment Five: Patience. Patience. Patience. https://northsidechurch.typeform.com/to/THkrTH00
We are combining the study materials as we write them weekly with God. To access the entire study touch on this link:
https://www.northsideumc.org/gift-from-the-sea-study/
Please feel free to share this material, a chosen segment or the entire study, with anyone God lays on your heart.
P.S.S.S. Another person who gets my deepest gratitude is Lisa Rieves, owner of the Front Porch of Vinings. Stop by to receive Lisa’s symbols of gratitude for our tight knit community.
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