<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div class="gmail_quote"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:center">

<b><span style="font-family:Arial">UNCONVENTIONAL NON-SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial">When we had guests at the B&B, back in Iowa, I used to introduce an unconventional non-sectarian table grace without asking.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">After giving it there were several times that Fundamentalists said, “Alright, now let’s say a prayer!” I finally realized that I needed to ask permission to give an unconventional non-sectarian table grace. I have now adopted the practice of doing so. It goes as follows.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">David Steindl-Rast wrote a book entitled GRATEFULNESS; THE HEART OF PRAYER. In the book he says that he watches people go through life looking for a way to be happy so they can be grateful for their lives. But, he says, “It isn’t happiness that makes you grateful. Its gratefulness that makes you happy.”</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">When I read that I looked into my own life to find out where gratefulness comes out spontaneously. (Holding my hand over my heart with an outward gesture to include the meal table, I continue) I realized that the mealtime is one of those places: because I’m on the receiving end of things, (gesture to include the food) and I’m with family or friends. So I invite you to share the things for which you’re grateful. We’re grateful to have you as guests. What kinds of things have you found yourself grateful for in the past 12 to 24 hours? (Sharing takes place) Alright. Let’s eat and be grateful. Amen.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:center">

<b><span style="font-family:Arial">I've finally made a transition to BLESSINGS & CELEBRATIONS This comes from YES Magazine</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-family:Arial">Special Table Grace</span></u></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:center"><i><span style="font-family:Arial">[very appropriate at every meal—especially appropriate at Thanksgiving</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial">].</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">Once all are present, call on each member to</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0.5in"><span style="font-family:'Courier New'"><span>o<span style="font:normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'">   </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial">Say what we are grateful for</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0.5in"><span style="font-family:'Courier New'"><span>o<span style="font:normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'">   </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial">Who or what we want to send special energy to</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0.5in"><span style="font-family:'Courier New'"><span>o<span style="font:normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'">   </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial">Where we wish for peace</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">Gratitude; Blessings; Peace. Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

<span style="font-family:Arial">David</span></p><div style="outline-style:none;outline-width:initial;outline-color:initial;padding-top:10px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:0px;width:22px;margin-top:2px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">

</div></div></span>