Dear Friends,
When Eunice Sanborn of Jacksonville, Texas became the oldest living US citizen at 114 years of age, she was asked if she had anything to say. “I have no complaints.” Most likely life had treated Eunice to more than a few challenges and hard places in 114 years of living, but she chose to understate the obvious… she learned resilience in the midst of life’s ups and downs.
A 2006 study published in “Behavior Research and Therapy” found that Vietnam War veterans with higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of stress disorder. Collaborating research by the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” identified an attitude of gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
German theologian Meister Eckhart wrote “if the only prayer you say in your entire life is ‘Thank You’, it will be enough.” Seems so with Eunice and all of humankind. We’ve been created with a heart that is “tuned to sing His praise” no matter the what or where.
As you join with friends and family this Thanksgiving, no matter the limitations, there is gratitude to be found in a “hope that does not disappoint us…” Romans 5:5
“No complaints” or just “thank you”… either way, have a blessed Thanksgiving.
~Wynn