The abundance of God's gifts to us (Henri Nouwen)

  Gratitude is the awareness that life in all its manifestations is a gift for which we want to give thanks.  The closer we come to God in prayer, the more we become aware of the abundance of God’s gifts to us. We may even discover the presence of these gifts in the midst of our pains and sorrows.  The mystery of the spiritual life is that many of the events, people, and situations that for a long time seem to inhibit our way to God become ways of being united more deeply with him.  What seemed a hindrance proves to be a gift.  Thus, gratitude becomes a quality of our hearts that allows us to live joyfully and peacefully even though our struggles continue.

--Henri Nouwen, A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee

Image source:  Sisyphus-Brive-La Gaillarde, France, http://www.brivemag.fr/