Gratitude Whispered Today (Multitudes on Mondays)

The day is cold. It begins late (7 minutes late, to be precise, my figure flying to class where my poor professor must be wondering why on some days I just can't make the 8am call to contemplation). Rain taps gently on the windows and small grey clouds sit in my eyes as I look at the afternoon, the work ahead, the too-much-to-think-about.

And there is not much I wish to write, honestly, not much I'm bursting to pin down. But the discipline of the moment, of each moment, is gratitude. The discipline is ache of praise, is praise when silence seems safer, is praise when springtime bursts forth and when winter shudders through the branches of your heart. When you do not want to sing of the fire. When you do not want to bend with the weight of thanksgiving, of remembrance.

And today this list of gratitude is small, but still aflame:

1. Thank You for quiet.
2. Thank You for Your words in {John 14.27}
3. The smell of rain in the morning
4. For prayer with hands raised
5. For the Pulcinella Suite by Igor Stravinsky

May this day, each moment, fill you with the ache to praise, the ache of praise. May peace blossom in your heart from the One who is our peace. 

Love,
Hilary

For Quiet Confidence (from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.