The Power of Gratitude

John 6:5-13

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

And Jesus said, “Make the men sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

I have often wondered if gratitude wasn’t an important part of what made this miracle happen.  It has been said that faith precedes the miracle, but maybe sometimes it is gratitude that precedes the miracle.  Perhaps gratitude is a powerful expression of faith that I ought to apply in my life more readily.  Many months ago I came across this TED Talk, and it has changed my life. Although there are still miracles I am hoping and waiting for, I have experienced the miracle of gratitude as a coping strategy.  My life is happier because gratitude helps me to have fewer Andrew moments, "but what are they among so many?"  Watch the talk and give thanks.