Gather: Gratitude
This month, we’ve been practicing the habit of gratitude. While it’s so good to be thankful for all of the blessings in our lives, often these good things sit beside harder realities—things like disappointment, anger, and grief. Let’s take a moment as a group to bring both our gratitude, and our grief, to God.
Collect
(2 MINUTES)
Find an object to hold during this practice. Something small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but weighty enough to notice. It could be a small stone, a pen, a wallet, etc. And preferably not something that will distract like a fidget spinner, phone, or that special someone’s hand. 😍 *Note: it may also be worth grabbing a box of tissues before you begin.
Gather
(2 MINUTES)
Gather in a quiet space where you can be uninterrupted, like a dorm or prayer room, and sit in a circle. Put on some relaxing instrumental music.
Appoint
(1 MINUTE)
Appoint a leader to talk through the steps of this practice, as he or she also participates.
Sit with your grief
(6 MINUTES)
Leader: Let the object sit on your open palm on your left hand as your hand rests on your left leg. As you do this, call to mind what you have grieved, or have yet to grieve. It could be as complicated as the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one, or as simple as a disappointing grade. It could just be the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word “grief.” Try not to overanalyze this.
Pause for 2 minutes of quiet reflection.
Leader: On the surface, the grief might feel like disappointment, anger, or jealousy. As the object weighs heavy in your hand, allow yourself to feel the weight of this grief.
Pause for 2 minutes of quiet reflection.
Leader: Notice the subtleties of this grief. When did it begin? Have you hidden it, or expressed it? If necessary, ask God, “why does this grieve me?”
Pause for 2 minutes of quiet reflection.
Lift up your grief
(1 MINUTE)
Leader: Bring up your hand to hold the object against your heart. Feel the pressure of your arm against your chest, and trust that God is holding you in your grief.
Pause to take a deep breath.
Sit with your gratitude
(4 MINUTES)
Leader: Move the object to your right hand, and bring your left hand back to rest on your left leg, palm open. Hold the object in your right hand, palm open, on your right leg. As you do this, call to mind what you are grateful for. It could be as significant as landing an internship, or as simple as time with friends, or a class getting canceled.
Pause for 2 minutes of quiet reflection.
Leader: As the object weighs heavy in your hand, allow yourself to savor the goodness of this gift. Notice all of the feelings that come along with it: peace, excitement, laughter, etc.
Pause for 2 minutes of quiet reflection.
Lift up your gratitude
(1 MINUTE)
Leader: Bring up your hand to hold the object against your heart. Feel the pressure of your arm against your chest, and thank God for embracing you with this blessing.
Share
(5 MINUTES)
If anyone would like to, share with the group about what came to mind for both grief and gratitude. Since this can be deeply personal, no one is required to share.
Close
(1 MINUTE)
Make a basket with your hands with one hand on top of the other. Hold your object in the basket, as the leader prays.
Leader:
God, thank you that in your hands, you hold both midnight and morning, grief and gift, death and resurrection. Hold us in your peace, that even in our shadowy nights, the darkness will be as light to us. Amen.
Let’s read this Psalm together:
All:
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:7-12