The Discipline of Gratitude

Along with trust there must be gratitude - the opposite of resentment. Resentment and gratitude cannot coexist, since resentment blocks the perception and experience of life as a gift. My resentment tells me that I don't recieve what I deserve....In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts recieved, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. the discipline of gratitude is the explicit efort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy. -The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen

As I read this and still ponder it, I am struggling with where I am. Am I grateful for all that I have? Am I grateful on a daily basis in such a way that it reflects all that I do? Or am I resentful? If I am honest, I do feel resentment more than gratitude. And that is my sin. But I also have hope. I have hope that I am not a victim of my emotions. I have hope that there is Somone bigger than my own sin and resentment. I have hope to change and to be changed. Because Someone took my sin and resentment and anger upon himself so that I would not be locked into a life of misery and resentment. Jesus and His victory over sin and death gives me hope. And today especially, I am grateful. But how long will I continue to struggle? Gratitude as a discipline, as a way of life. What would that look like in me? What would that look like for me in my family? In all my relationships? Lord Jesus, do your work! Do not leave me as I am.