Embracing Gratitude and Faith

A Reflection on the First Reading for March 9th, 2025:
First Sunday of Lent

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Deuteronomy
​26.4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying: “When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this response before the Lord your God:

“‘A wandering Aramean was my father; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labour on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.’”

And Moses continued, “You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Counting your blessings. I’m sure we’ve all heard this saying at one point in our lives.


As I sat down to write this reflection, I’m not even sure how many times I read and re-read this scripture reading for this Sunday. I had so many questions and powerful images that came to mind as I closed my eyes and simply pictured what this would have been like.


It’s a powerful reading that speaks to the heart of gratitude and faith. It recounts the Israelites' journey from oppression to deliverance and their call to offer the first fruits of their harvest as a testament to God's faithfulness. I immediately thought how women of faith can draw inspiration from this scripture to deepen their spiritual journey and foster a life of gratitude. This act of offering symbolizes the acknowledgment that everything we have is a gift from God. 

For us, this can be a reminder to recognize and celebrate the blessings in our lives, no matter how small they may seem. Our family, friendships, the food we eat, the warmth of our homes, the clothes we put on our bodies, the list goes on. How many times have I taken the big and small blessings in my life for granted? 

For me, it is not enough to merely acknowledge God's blessings; I must also act in ways that reflect gratitude and commitment to Him. Some of the ways that I’ve thought about are by serving others; participating in community, church, and worship; and continually seeking to grow in my relationship with God by spending intentional time with Him every single day.

As I embrace this in my life, I find myself drawing closer to God and becoming an instrument of His grace and love in the world. I invite you to join me. Reflect on the blessings you have in your own life, maybe even spend time journaling today with that thought. How can you use your blessings to draw closer to God?




Shelly Fillmore

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