A friend of mine has taken to sharing three items for which he is grateful – every day.  Simply looking at his day and finding the good.  Seeking it out, and stating it publicly.  It is a gift to read these lists, not because they are such grandiose things that inspire confidence in our world or our lives or our futures, but because they are simple things that we can all find, things we all have access to.  Things that are ordinary, but make our days worth celebrating.  Things that we often take for granted, but are the life blood that can keep us going.

This simple act of gratitude reminded me of another childhood song.  There are conflicting stories of where this one came from, and I’m not sure what the real history is, but suffice it to say, it involves understanding that speaking our truth is powerful.  There are stories about the origins being a man wrongly imprisoned being saved from execution due to his proclamation of faith.  There are stories about people singing this on long journeys that were difficult, adding verses as they went, finding comfort in the song and passing the time with a reminder of goodness.

God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He’s so good to me!

He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He’s so good to me!

What we speak and how we express ourselves to the world matters.  It matters.  It can change us, it can change those around us.  Listing things that fill us with gratitude reminds us that there is always hope, no matter how small.  And, gratitude has a funny way of growing from gratitude.  In moments where it seems all is lost, speaking of goodness can paint a clearer picture of what can be, and of what actually lies beyond our disappointment or despair.  Sometimes it only takes one word to shift our gaze, to offer a view that fills our spirits with what is needed.  Sometimes it only takes one word from someone else’s lips to draw our attention towards the very thing we need to see.  The thing that will carry us.

For me, this little song is about knowing that good exists.  That goodness cares for us.  And, that we can find goodness in many ways, in the smallest of things.  God, or the universe, or nature, or love, or humanity, or whatever you relate to, is good.  Good.  Evidence of this is everywhere.  It is in the simple pleasures found in our daily activities – a delicious cookie, and friendly smile, a conversation, a beautiful song, a kind word, some gentle encouragement, comfortable shoes, the sunset, a task completed, a bird chirping, the sound of someone sleeping peacefully.  Its existence doesn’t mean challenges are not everywhere, it just means we can face them.  We can wake each morning with the knowledge that somewhere in our day, a little piece of goodness will emerge.  We may have to dig deep to find it, but it will always be there.

So, for all the countless ordinary things that make our lives rich, I am grateful.  They are good.  They are true.  They are important.  And when the spectacular moments are missing, or unavailable, these tiny bits of joy are invaluable.  Let them join together like a patchwork quilt – scraps and colours and textures that somehow create a warmth and beauty that is unique to each of us.  And offers a comfort that is simply good.