This week, as I sat in the warm embrace of the Church of the Spirit, I found myself deeply moved by Interim Co-Pastor Audrey Williams’s sermon. Her words, “Gratitude and prayer work, and by having them, you are making a difference,” echoed in my mind long after the service ended. But it was her heartfelt question that lingered most: “In the midst of chaos, can I still express gratitude and share God’s love?”
Life, as we all know, is unpredictable. Chaos can come in many forms—unexpected challenges, the uncertainty of tomorrow, or even the quiet struggles within ourselves. This week, I found myself confronting a familiar but uncomfortable feeling: anxiety over what I can’t control. I often wrestle with this, as I suspect many of us do. Yet, Interim Co-Pastor Audrey's words reminded me that even amidst the storm, there is an opportunity to find balance, to breathe deeply, and to lean into gratitude.
She spoke of the God consciousness within us all, the divine spark that connects us to infinite intelligence, to one another, and to the spiritual side of life. She said something profound: "Tragedy has a way of reducing us to our common denominator: we are all one in God." This truth resonates deeply when life feels overwhelming. It reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles, that I can turn to prayer for comfort and guidance, and that gratitude can be a transformative force, even in the hardest moments.
Finding Gratitude in Everyday Moments
After the sermon, I felt inspired to journal about little ways I can embrace gratitude every day. At first, it felt daunting—how do you feel thankful when life feels out of control? But as I wrote, I realized that gratitude doesn’t need to be a grand gesture; it can be found in small, meaningful moments:
The warmth of a loved one’s voice during a phone call.
The calming rhythm of my breath during a moment of stillness.
The beauty of nature—God’s omnipresence—reminding me that He is in everything, everywhere.
These reflections helped me understand that while I can’t control the chaos around me, I can control how I respond. I can choose to focus on what’s within my power: connecting with others, practicing self-care, and showing kindness. As Interim Co-Pastor Audrey said, "We have a God that we can lean on and ask for help when we encounter life's small setbacks and God's major disasters."
The Power of Prayer and Letting Go
One of the most challenging but liberating lessons I’m learning is to pray, let go, and trust. Often, I find myself holding onto my worries, replaying them in my mind, as if that will somehow resolve them. But prayer reminds me to surrender—to trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when I can’t see it. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it means focusing on what I can do: treating others with love, speaking words of kindness, and keeping my heart open to God’s guidance.
Manifesting Balance with Gratitude and Love
Interim Co-Pastor Audrey’s reminder that “we are saying we are connected to spirit” stayed with me. This connection is not just a belief; it’s a practice. It’s in the way I choose to see the good, even when it feels hidden. It’s in the way I speak life into my circumstances, using the power of the tongue and mind to manifest balance amidst chaos. And it’s in the way I lean on God’s infinite intelligence, knowing that I am not navigating this journey alone.
As I reflect on her sermon, I feel a renewed sense of hope. Yes, chaos will come, and yes, anxiety may try to steal my peace. But with gratitude as my anchor and prayer as my guide, I know I can navigate life’s uncertainties with grace.
To everyone reading this: if you find yourself struggling with life’s chaos, take a moment to pause. Breathe. Pray. And remember the words Interim Co-Pastor Audrey shared with us: “Gratitude and prayer work, and by having them, you are making a difference.” You are not alone, and you have the power to bring light and love into even the darkest of days.
Let’s walk together in God’s love, sharing it with the world, one grateful moment at a time.
*I pray for the survivors of the wildfires in Los Angeles. I pray for an outpouring of resources—shelter, food, and support—that they may find safety and provision in their time of need.
Check out the Interim Co-Pastor's Audrey Williams's January 19th, 2025 Sermon