“For all that has been: Thanks!
For all that shall be: Yes!”
--Dag Hammarskjold in Markings
Pic by Gwen Smith
by Stephen W. Smith
It has been said that “the opposite of yes, is not no; it is control.” I am starting to believe that this is true. To say, “Yes!” is the highest mark of thanksgiving. To say, “Yes!” is to submit oneself to a greater story than the small one we each live. To say, “Yes!” is to let go of illusions that the past year may have shattered into the many pieces of dreams that are broken and lives that got smashed by a heavy hammer that life can sometimes bring.
Gratitude is an inner movement of the soul - it softens the brittle pieces of disappointment of the past year and catch’s but a glimpse of the preciousness of life that is short—and sometimes way, way too short. To become thankful is an inner movement that requires a shifting from the hard, steadfast, and unbending expectations that we all know. This movement is one that is maturity. This movement is wisdom. To not say, “Yes!” is the dark side of control—that furious fear that everyone of us have. To have the courage to say, “Yes!” is the ultimate act of faith that can be as small as a mustard seed. A small yes is the first beginnings of a bigger “Yes!” that will come—as we awaken to the good truth that sets us free.
This movement is growth. This movement is the first groan of a faint “yes” inside. This movement to say, “Yes!” is a confession of a growing awareness that we are—but we also shall become!
Perhaps this past year there was not much of a becoming. It may have been more of an ending than a beginning. But for the new to truly arrive, an ending is required. We can be thankful for all things that have ended whether they ended well or are still in grief of letting go.
For some of us, the greatest “Yes!” that we could ever have dreamed was dropped smack into our lives. And for this—for that job, person, diagnosis or lottery win, we bow with the “Yes!”—and know that this is the stuff of our lives for which we can truly be grateful.
To say, “Yes!” is to turn our palms up and our eyes closed in humility knowing that we have no power to bring a “Yes!” to anyone, even ourselves. This is the giving up of control. To say, “Yes!” is to give up control and to submit to the Sacred Yes, the only Yes!” that comes from God.
So, we in one voice this Thanksgiving can say together, “Yes!”
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The Potter’s Inn Soul Care Conversation this week is about “The Great Annual Examen.” It’s an exercise of reflecting back over this past year. I offer you several different categories to reflect back upon your year. This has been a wonderful tool to help people all over the world think, pray, and consider God’s work in our lives: physically and our well being; emotionally and our sense of inner peace; relational and our sense of connectedness; vocationally and our thoughts about our work/faith rhythms and spiritually.
Listen and/or download the Great Annual Examen