I have often found on any given Sunday in church that when it comes to prayers for our selves, our family and friends we are generally quite verbal and direct. Our needs, it would appear, are many and varied. But when we are invited to offer our thanksgivings to God, we often fall strangely silent. Are we merely being polite and not wanting to brag too much? Or, do we simply fail to see the blessings that are ever before us? I fear that it is often the latter.

The news about the economy here and throughout much of the world is very hard to escape. There have been layoffs, business and bank failures, and the real estate market looks grim in many parts of the nation, and the stock markets are down. Those who track consumer spending predict great restraint during the upcoming Christmas shopping season. Editorials and newspaper columnists are observing that the culture of conspicuous consumption has ended abruptly. For far too many people this economy is a disaster.

For some others, they are finding that though times are hard, they have the relative luxury of being able to make choices in reduction of spending on non-essential items.

Could it be that this is also a genuine opportunity? Adversity “opens” our eyes — though often only temporarily. I believe that we have some very real possibilities of starting some honest, prayerful discussion of questions like, “How much is too much stuff?” or “How much is enough?” or “How can we make meaningful and well planned reductions in our consumption?” When our eyes are opened by the present economic crisis, we can find the freedom to say no to more stuff and realize what blessings we have in spite of bad economic news.

And, when our eyes are opened we begin to see not only our blessings but also those who do not know such blessings. Maybe, just maybe in these uncertain times we will find more and simpler things for which to be thankful when the Thanksgiving Day arrives next week. And perhaps, those expressions of gratitude may be more than verbal expressions. Gratitude is also expressed through actions. It can be as simple as deciding to buy at least one item that goes to the food shelf every time we go the grocery store. It can also be as extensive as rethinking one’s personal spending habits on a permanent basis.

But you may ask how this can happen on a daily basis. Just like many things, it requires a motivation to change and a willingness to practice. That is where prayer and reflection come in. Have you ever noticed the many times when the Gospels report that Jesus was praying? When he was praying, he was off by himself apparently sitting quietly. So many times we tend to think of prayer as saying something. What about listening too? Jesus noticed things that others missed. It would appear that his eyes were wide open to the people in need around him. Buddhist teaching would call this mindfulness. Mindfulness can be expressed as the opposite of multi-tasking. Mindfulness is being present and alert in the moment, seeing things and people who might otherwise be invisible to us.

May we take this opportunity that the economy has brought to us to examine more deeply how to express true gratitude on Thanksgiving Day and every day.