Just Say "Yes" to Gratitude

SCRIPTURE TEXT:  2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Rev. Monte Marshall

Today, our four-week emphasis on stewardship comes to a close with the theme, Just Say “Yes” to Gratitude.  It’s a timely topic—not just because we’re completing a stewardship campaign—but because many of us are struggling to keep our emotions on an even keel after the events of this past week. 

Some of us are beyond disappointment at the election results.  Some of us are depressed.  Some of us are teetering on the brink of despair.   Some of us see in this election, the unleashing of dark and reactionary forces that are terrifying in the threat that they pose to our sense of well-being, both individually and nationally.  For those of us in the grip of this post-election gloom, gratitude may be the last thing we want to talk about this morning, in church or anywhere else!

But in my view, it would be a mistake to just say “no” to gratitude in a time such as this, for “an attitude of gratitude,” is itself a beacon of light that dispels the gloom.  The late Dr. Maya Angelou tells this story: “There was a time when I was in a state of utter despair, immersed in guilt over promises made on which I had not delivered. I went to my vocal coach, Fred Wilkerson, weeping copiously. He asked what was the matter. I responded, ‘I’m going crazy. I am almost at the brink of suicide.’

“He offered me a legal-size, lined yellow pad and a pen.  He said, ‘Write down your blessings!’  Furious that he didn’t understand my condition, I shouted, ‘Don’t talk nonsense, I’m telling you I am going crazy.’  He said, ‘Write down that you could hear me say ‘write down’ and think of the millions who cannot hear the cries of their babies, or the sweet words of their beloveds, or the alarm that could help them seek safety.  Write down that you can see this yellow pad and think of the millions on this planet who cannot see the smiles of their growing children or the delight in the faces of their beloveds, or the colors of the sunrise and the softness of the twilight.  Write down that you know how to write.  Write down that you know how to read.’ Wilkie, as he was known, gave me that lesson in 1955. Fifty-five years later, I have written 31 books, essays, plays, and lyrics for songs — all on yellow pads. I remain in an attitude of gratitude.”[1]  By the way, if you have not yet begun the practice of recording your blessings in the Gratitude Journal that was distributed with the stewardship materials several weeks ago, today might be a good day to begin.  For isn’t it true?  We have much to be grateful for. 

Speaking of an attitude of gratitude, it seems to me that this is exactly what Paul is recommending in this morning’s scripture reading.  The Corinthian church was in a dark place.  The church was racked by division.  Various factions were vying for influence and control.  Paul himself was under attack.  His leadership was being questioned.

And yet, amid these intense stresses and strains, Paul dares to write of gratitude and generosity: “if you plant sparingly, you will reap sparingly, and if you plant bountifully, you will reap bountifully.  You must give according to what you have inwardly decided—not sadly, not reluctantly, for God loves a giver who gives cheerfully.  There are no limits to the grace of God, who will make sure you will always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works…. The One who provides seed for the planter and bread for food will also supply and enlarge your store of seed and increase your harvest of justice.  You will be made rich in every way for your generosity, for which we give thanks to God.”  

Now Paul was not ignoring the problems within the Corinthian church.  In fact, elsewhere in his letter, he confronts these problems head-on.  But in this portion of the epistle, Paul is determined to keep the church from fixating exclusively on its inner turmoil.  Paul tenaciously reminds the church of the needs of others—in this case, the dire economic conditions of the “holy ones” in the Jerusalem church.  Paul challenges the Corinthians to step out of their own emotional and political “stuff” long enough to keep a pledge previously made to help those suffering in Jerusalem by giving cheerfully and generously as an expression of gratitude for “the exceeding grace of God” present within them.  Paul expresses his own profound sense of gratitude as he exclaims: “Thanks be to God for such an indescribable gift!”

And Paul says to the Corinthians: “By offering this service, you prove yourselves.”  Poet and Jungian analyst, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, calls this showing our soul to the world.  She writes: “One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.  Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times.  The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire.  To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these—to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.

“Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it.  If you would help calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.”[2]     

I’m convinced that the “soul” of this church radiates gratitude and generosity.  And one of the ways in which we prove ourselves over and over again, each and every year, is by the commitments we make to support financially, the mission and ministry of our church. 

Even in a time such as this, as many of us struggle to keep our emotions on an even keel, there is so much to be grateful for!  And in a time such as this, the world needs to see our soul—the very essence of who we are—shaped by the gratitude and generosity that we’ve learned from the Gospel of Christ, in response to the indescribable gift of God’s exceeding grace within us.

And I’m pleased to say that there are others among us who know what this is like.  In fact, David Ellison is here this morning to show his soul as he bears witness.  DAVID ELLISON

My dear friends, it’s time to show our soul.  It’s time to decide:  In saying “yes” to gratitude, how much will we commit to support the mission and ministry of Travis Park United Methodist Church in 2017?   If you have already submitted a commitment card:  Thank you!  If you plan to submit a commitment card, please do so promptly.  Cards are available in the pews.  Please know that no that every gift is needed and welcomed, and that no gift is too small.

O God of exceeding grace, thank you for such an indescribable gift!  In response, with an attitude of gratitude, we offer our gifts for the mission and ministry of this church as a show of soul in a time such as this, through Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.