Through my practice of the Ignatian Examen, I have grown accustomed to pausing in gratitude for graces and blessings received. I take this pause at the end of a day or a year or even a meaningful experience. But lately I have been wondering what it might be like to pause in gratitude for the graces and the blessings that will be.
It seems this kind of “advance gratitude” practice might work fairly well for me. After all, I am a planner by nature! The problem, however, is that my plans are usually for all the ways that something could go wrong. For example, prior to my summer journey to Indonesia, I researched every possible way the journey could have complications. I learned about every potential issue ranging from health to travel, and I planned for all of them. In fact, one might say I over-planned for all of them. I didn’t even allow myself to be truly grateful for the opportunity until I landed back in Texas at the completion of the journey. When I was finally able to review it all and see that none of my worries had come true and God instead had showered me and the experience with graces beyond my imagination, only then was I truly able to pause in gratitude.
Many times over the past few years, I have expressed my worries about what might go wrong to a friend only for that friend to respond, “But what if it all goes right? What if it’s more amazing than you could have ever imagined?” And out of habit every time, I responded with, “But what if it isn’t?”
Now I am coming to realize that planning for the possibility of failure is not a great way of proceeding. The amount of time and energy I spend worrying about what could go wrong keeps me from noticing all the wonderful things that are going right. It keeps me from having my eyes wide open to God alive and working in my midst.
So as I enter into what potentially could be a quite rocky fall, I want to make a concerted effort to go against my usual way of proceeding and practice some advance gratitude. Instead of making contingency plans for all pending disasters, I want to start each of my days praying the following.
Lord, thank you in advance:
- for the many incredible people made in your image that I will encounter today;
- for shifting my focus today to the good work being done all around me;
- for showing me today, through the examples of others, how I can contribute to positive change in my immediate community;
- for all the unexpected moments of joy and laughter I will have;
- for the calm reassurance you will provide when problems arise for which I have not fully planned;
- for bringing my attention today to all the moments (big or small) when things went well beyond my expectations;
- for all the love and grace you will offer me today that will open my heart to love others well.
I know that this advance gratitude practice will not be easy. It will require me to have faith that God will indeed deliver on all of these things. But there is something incredibly appealing right now about placing a little more faith in God and a little less faith in my contingency plans.
How can you practice advance gratitude? What difference might it make in how this upcoming season will unfold?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.
Thanks Gretchen. Advance Gratitude adds energy to our way of proceeding on God’s Holy Ground.
Gretchen,
I’ve read, reflected on, and re-read this ‘audacious’ blog post by you several times. Thank you! !! The idea of ‘playing one’s Faith forward’ imaginatively, using the ‘lens’ of Ignatian Spiritual guidance, has brought me unearned Grace and Understanding. Your prayer shines a bright light for this pilgrim, on his spiritual journey into the future.
Gratefully,
Blessed Solanus Casey:
“Thank God ahead of time.”
My friend and I try to pray “as if it already happened” for blessings for our kids. It’s a bit like the popular “manifesting” but with God and gratitude thrown in. Because my daughter has been actively searching for a job for some time I am going to use the strategies you suggested. Thank you Gretchen, for your wisdom and for the reminder.
Thank you for this idea Gretchen!
Gretchen, Reading your reflections always in Richmond. For the last few years when I’m greeted with the words, how are you?, I give the answer… I’m blessed and grateful, how are you? It is incredibly rewarding. Long ago or maybe always I decided not to plan… Especially in the manner you described. My work schedules provided the plan. My husband was a great scheduler and we pretty much loved the same things so he did all the planning and scheduling. Now this great husband of 65 years went to heaven May 16. I am floundering, berefit , And purposeless. Today before I read your reflection I prayed out loud the sucipe page with all my heart. So I’m trusting that since I’m still here on earth and today my dear husband is celebrating his 88th birthday in heaven with Jesus and most of our friends, God has a plan for me. Writing this reflection must be one of them. Heretofore I have been an adventure junkie. I can just see how well you could make a plan for me… L O L. God created me so he must know how I will function now. All prayers appreciated! Thank you. And keep writing. You are entertaining
Continued prayers for you as you navigate this new space. The world needs planners and non-planners alike!
Thank you Gretchen I LOVE this. I’ve printed it too and I am starting today! So thank you for this and thanks in advance for all the future inspiring thoughts you will have and share.
Moment by moment, as soon as it’s good, beautiful, seen or heard and it blesses your spirit of life
say “thank you dear Father”. Or however words you prefer. I’m practicing this and it helps
and God’s Presence so near.
Gretchen, I too need to practice Advance Gratitude. My husband and I are serious planners.
We spend a lot of time and effort in preparing for the “What ifs” and lugging our contingency stuff. And keeping track of it.
Gretchen, there is a Native American saying “Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” I keep it on the bulletin board in my studio. Like you, I seem to plan for the worst (and hope for the best). Thank you for your reminder of God’s unending and everpresent gifts.
Great phrase, thank you.
Therese, I loved this Native American saying. It is a wonderful addition to Gretchen’s inspiring thoughts.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!