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An oriental story tells of a group of elderly and cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties of tea. Each wanted to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests. When the most venerable, respected of the group entertained, he served tea with unprecedented ceremony, even measuring the leaves from a golden box. The group praised this exquisite tea. The host smiled, then, he said, "The tea you have found so tasteful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to you that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly.”
Thanksgiving is a time for us not to only express thanksgiving, but to reappraise the importance of things. As we consider how we have been blessed, we will likely see that our greatest blessing has arisen from the many unremarkable gifts we receive daily. To feel blessed, richly blessed, we do not have to have received what impresses those who like to be impressed and to impress. This Thanksgiving, give thanks for all those apparently common blessings that make your life richly rewarding.
Question: What are some of the common, everyday blessings that has made your life a blessed life?
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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