Grateful, Thankful, and Peace

While unpacking a few weeks ago, I ran across a metal sign that I was gifted with some baby gifts from the congregation and it reminded me not just that I am grateful for everything in my life right now, but just how grateful I am that I landed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Coming up on a year here, I cannot tell you how much all of your support has meant to me, not just as a secretary but as a safe place to land as a working mom, when so much of the workforce at least from my experience seems hostile to working parents and the need to put our kids first.

Since my three-year-old is in pre-school and is learning to recognize letters and he just asks a lot of questions in general about everything, especially new words, this prompted a discussion of the word grateful and what that means. In looking up the word grateful, I needed to look up the difference between grateful and thankful since thankful is listed as a synonym for grateful. However, according to the article “Grateful vs Thankful” on Grammarly.com's Commonly Confused Words blog “While both grateful and thankful are expressions of appreciation, grateful carries a more profound sense of emotional gratitude and is often used in acknowledgment of significant impact.” The article further asserts that “Thankful is more immediate and situational, usually pertaining to a specific favor or relief.”

In his sermon on Peace, Pastor David, asked us “What gives you peace?” my first thought was working at St. Paul’s. I have been searching for peace since becoming a mom in 2021 in my work life, spiritual life, and as a parent. Since starting my job at St. Paul’s I have felt an increasing amount of peace not just as an employee, but as a mom, and with my calling to acts of service. During this season where we are focused on what we are thankful for or grateful for and what brings us peace, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to everyone at St. Paul’s for their support and acceptance of me, my family, and all of my endeavors here so far especially all those who volunteer to help me with Happy Hearts to being so nice and loving to my often feral children. I would also like to thank again the person who gave me the sign that prompted me to write this post.