No Insignificant Gift

In 1379, Thomas a Kempis was born in Kempenin the Rhineland in what is now Germany. He entered the monastery of Mount Saint Agnes in 1406 and was ordained a priest three years later. For the remainder of his life he was in seclusion at the monastery. His remarkable achievement was a small book that has become one of the great Christian devotionals—The Imitation of Christ. In the chapter "On Gratitude for God's Grace," he writes:

Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as special favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or insignificant, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God. Even if he awards punishment and pain, accept them gladly, for whatever he allows to befall us is always for our salvation. Let whoever desires to retain the grace of God be thankful for the grace given him, and be patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray for its return, and let him be prudent and humble unless he lose it once more.