BS’D
Rav Avigdor Miller ztk’l teaches there are two ways we can choose to talk to Hashem: either by consistently thanking and praising Him for His eternal benevolence or chas v’Shalom through pleading and begging for His help for that which we previously didn’t appreciate and express gratitude for. Interesting thought, no?
Everything in life is 100% a free gift; we must recognize this and allow this idea to permeate our every thought, speech and action. Gratitude forms emotions and envelops the receiver with a strong sense of love and joy. However, ingratitude saps all forms of pleasure and leaves us lifeless. Would we ever dream to treat another human being the way we often treat Hashem and accept gift after gift without once saying, “Thank you. I am so humbled at Your love and goodness!”
Hashem proclaims from the beginning in Sefer Bereishis, “And Hashem saw all that He made and behold it was very good.” Hashem describes His creation as good. Therefore we are obligated to perceive the good of everything He created. Undoubtedly this requires time and effort to seek out the good ‘hidden’ in everything, yet this is a Jew’s calling. We can feel the goodness by living consciously and appreciating our home, car, clothes, food, ability to talk, walk, etc.
A true story is told of a tzaddik who before discarding his worn out shoes gently placed them in a bag and said to them, “Thank you for serving me loyally for so long. You covered my feet and protected my toes” and with that placed them in the garbage.
Isn’t that a true sign of greatness, appreciating even that which can no longer yet once did serve our needs?!
