Gratitude for a new day

Good morning.

My Cumbrian grandmother Ethel often used to say, ‘tomorrow will be a new day.’ She would sing it in the same manner whether we were in difficult or wonderful times.
And with this new day came the cheerful responsibility of being better next time. Leaving the front door in the morning was an act of duty and hope. But there was more to her approach that I could never quite put my finger on.

But recently I was at the birth of a baby girl and not only witnessed the miracle of her first day, but also the serge of celebration that spread through family and friends like fireworks. They longed to meet her, to hold her, and it was more than excitement, or hope, it was an outpouring of gratitude. The same gleam as my grandmother had – she lived in gratitude.

Yes, she’d seen northern working-class poverty and the second World War and so she knew we were lucky to have a decent meal or a warm fire with family and friends, but it was more than the pleasure of good times. Her delight for Bingo or Christmas decorations turning our home into a palace was intoxicating, but going to the launderette was also fun. Her gratitude was a state of mind - even at the beginning of an unknown day, which inspired us all.

Recently universities have researched gratitude. Lancaster found it helps mental health, St. Andrews concluded that a daily gratitude practice increased resilience and Harvard showed physical benefits including brain function. It clearly impacts our lives.

Gracious God, help me find gratitude for a new day and the resilient glow it brings.

Amen.