Real Gratitude

I was reading "Naked Spirituality" by Brian D. McLaren this morning as part of my daily devotional. From it came a new Hebrew word "dayenu". Dayenu is used in a special song of thanksgiving and gratitude during the Passover Seder meal. The song has 15 stanzas and details 15 special gifts from G-d to the Hebrew people. Dayenu means "that would have been enough". Thus, when the Jews remember the release from captivity from Egypt they sing, "Dayenu! (that would have been enough)". However, G-d continued to bless G-d's people and after each gift/miracle the people remember it by singing "Dayenu!". It struck me how little we think about the daily gifts of such a gracious and loving G-d. It also struck me about the bounty of the gifts that G-d bestows each and every day. I found myself saying, G-d has given me all the days up until now...Dayenu!. G-d has given me a loving and faithful wife...Dayenu! G-d has gifted me with skills to be a pharmacist...Dayenu! It creates in me a feeling of real gratitude that is different from feeling good about all the blessings in my life. By acknowledging that each gift in and of itself would have been enough of a blessing for the whole of my life, I acknowledge that I am truly blessed beyond my ability to comprehend - and certainly beyond any ability on my part to have earned. That's the great part of grace...I do nothing to earn the gifts that G-d bestows. It is a truly humbling experience to have discovered dayenu. This week, I invite you to explore the concept of dayenu - that would have been enough - in your own life and the lives of those around you. I suspect that the same feeling of being overwhelmed and really grateful will surround you, as it has me. At least, I pray that this will be true for you. Peace for the journey, Dan