‘So I mustn't forget, No, I mustn't forget. To say a great big Thank You, I mustn't forget…’
Each year as Autumn arrives, I am transported back to my primary school and singing “Autumn Days”. The song captures something of the child-like delight of being alive, of appreciating life, and of being grateful for the gifts of each day.
As we celebrate Harvest on Sunday we are reminded of all that we have been given by God. It is an opportunity, in our entitled society, to give thanks for all that comes from the hand of our good and generous heavenly Father, to recognise our indebtedness to the abundance of his creation, and our dependence upon others for our daily bread. The festival of harvest has the power to school the people of God in the annual – and daily – calling “to say a great big thank you” for all we receive, and to imitate God by generously giving to others in need.
The benefits of cultivating an attitude of gratitude are well celebrated – and gratefulness is a key aspect of the renewal of our minds as followers of Jesus Christ. Who can you say thank you to this week? What would it look like to be grateful for the person working on the supermarket till, your local butcher, or the farmers in our parish? How can you grow in gratefulness? Why not think of three things you are thankful for from the day as your head hits the pillow. Or you could begin a gratitude journal, pausing to write down what you are thankful for each week. As the song says, let’s not forget to say thank you.
Yours, in gratefulness for our shared life together,
Revd Simon Oatridge