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Gratitude: The Heartbeat of Our Journey
I tried to complain the other day. Honestly, I really did. I looked at my messy kitchen, sighed dramatically, and thought, “This is awful.” But then that pesky ministerial training kicked in and I caught myself saying, “Well, thank you, God, for dirty dishes… because it means I had food to eat.”
It's not easy being a minister, folks. You can't even enjoy a good grumble without gratitude sneaking in. Gratitude is like glitter—once you let it loose, it gets everywhere. 
The Daily Word for this coming Sunday, August 24 puts it perfectly: “Gratitude is my heart's song.” That line hit me right in the feels. Gratitude really is a melody running underneath our lives. Sometimes we're singing it loud and proud, other times it's just humming softly in the background. But the moment we pause, breathe, and remember who we are—a unique expression of God—that song comes back strong.
But let's be real: sometimes gratitude doesn't feel like a natural response. Sometimes resentment or comparison jumps in and tries to steal the mic (Why does their grass look greener than mine?) The beauty is, those little moments are just invitations to shift the tune. A reminder to return to gratitude.
The Unity Legacy of Gratitude
One of the things I'm most grateful for is the Unity movement itself. Charles and Myrtle Fillmore didn't just start a church; they started a revolution in consciousness. Myrtle literally spoke words of love and gratitude to her body—organ by organ, cell by cell—until her life was transformed. Charles reminded us that we don't have to pray long and loud; it's the silence where the still small voice is heard.
That's the foundation we stand on here at Unity of Louisville: a legacy of gratitude that says, “You are whole, you are loved, you are divine.” And honestly, what better song could we sing?
Gratitude in Tough Times
But let me also say this: gratitude isn't just for the good times. Anybody can be thankful when life is smooth. The real practice is finding gratitude in the mess, the grief, the uncertainty. When Myrtle was told she had only six months to live, she didn't curse the doctor or spiral into despair. She chose gratitude. She blessed her body, thanked her organs, and leaned into Spirit. That gratitude became her healing path.
So when we face challenges—and Lord knows I've had mine lately with care giving, commitments, and life swirling in every direction—it's not about pretending everything is easy. It's about remembering that even in the hard stuff, there's something to be thankful for. Gratitude shifts our perspective, lifts our hearts, and reminds us we're never alone.
Gratitude Is Who We Are
Here's the good news: gratitude doesn't have to be perfect. You don't have to keep a flawless journal or sing Kumbaya every morning. Gratitude is more like a compass—it points us back to Spirit every time we get a little lost.
So let me leave you with this affirmation:
“Gratitude is my heart's song. With every breath, I give thanks. With every step, I live in joy.”
My friends, let's let gratitude be the heartbeat of our journey here at Unity of Louisville. Let's sing it together—loud, proud, and maybe even a little glittery. Because gratitude, like glitter, is meant to spread.
And for that, I am deeply, joyfully, ridiculously grateful.
Join us this Sunday at Unity of Louisville as Kim Belew takes us deeper into the practice of gratitude and the blessings it brings. You won't want to miss it!
Blessings, Rev. Bobby
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