The morning song of the Skylark fills the air — bright, free, and alive. It reminds us that there is always hope.
There is always joy waiting to rise. And there is always a new day unfolding, just beyond the horizon.

The Skylark is more than just a bird in flight — it’s a symbol of hope, happiness, and freedom.
It represents the power of the human spirit to rise above challenges and soar to new heights.
Its song carries the vibration of creativity and inspiration — the whisper of divine intuition.

The Lessons of the Skylark

The Skylark sings not because it has answers,
but because it trusts. It trusts the morning, the wind, the sky, and its own inner rhythm. Unlike us humans, the Skylark doesn’t worry about what tomorrow might bring. It doesn’t question where its next meal will come from. It simply follows the call of its heart — the song within.

What a lesson for us all. When we let go of our worries and listen to our own inner voice —we, too, begin to rise. We begin to trust our intuition and live in the flow of divine guidance. So this morning, like the Skylark, may we lift our hearts in gratitude for life itself
for the beauty of nature, for the simple abundance of this moment, and for the freedom that comes from faith.

Finding Joy and Gratitude

Today’s message is about finding joy through gratitude.
It may sound simple — and it is — but it’s also profoundly powerful.The book Simple Abundance taught many of us a timeless practice:
Start each day by writing a gratitude list.
Write down ten things you are thankful for —
big or small, sacred or ordinary, daily.

I began this practice when my children were young.
And, as a Unity mom, I found it useful in surprising ways!
Whenever they would argue, I’d send them off to write their gratitude lists.
When they returned, they’d share their ten blessings aloud — suddenly, peace and laughter filled the room again.

That’s the power of gratitude.It changes the atmosphere and realigns our hearts with the divine flow.

The Practice of Gratitude

Whether we write it down or simply speak it in our minds, gratitude anchors us in the present moment.
It softens our hearts, brightens our awareness,
and reminds us that life is good.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us:

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Gratitude becomes our bridge between the earthly and the divine —between the beauty of nature and the infinite consciousness of Spirit.

When we express gratitude, we open ourselves to Divine Joy — the joy of God flowing through us.
Divine joy is not dependent on outer conditions.
It’s untouched by sorrow. It is the joy of being alive in God’s presence.

Innovation and Inspiration

Even in our modern world, the miracles of God continue.
Recently, I read about a remarkable innovation — synthetic blood — developed in Japan.
After years of research, scientists created a life-saving solution that lasts two years, requires no refrigeration, and can be used for any blood type.
In March, sixteen people received full transfusions — successfully. What an extraordinary example of human creativity guided by divine intelligence! At first, innovations like this can seem strange, even unsettling.

But as Isaiah 43:19 declares,

“Behold, I am doing a new thing.”

 Whether it’s a Skylark’s song or a scientific breakthrough, God is always doing something new —always creating new paths for healing, growth, and possibility.

When Gratitude Feels Hard

There are times, of course, when gratitude feels out of reach. Moments when life feels too heavy to lift our heads, too dark to see the light of joy.

And yet, it’s in those very moments that gratitude becomes our path back to hope.
When we whisper, even through tears, “Thank you, God,” we awaken the strength of the Spirit within.

As 2 Corinthians 4:15 tells us:
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

This verse highlights how the struggles and efforts of the Apostle Paul were ultimately for the benefit of others, spreading God’s grace widely. As more people receive this grace, it leads to overflowing gratitude and brings glory to God. It reminds us that even hardships can serve a greater purpose in expanding God’s love and inspiring thankfulness. That overflowing grace is the movement of divine joy through our lives.

Choosing Joy

Joy is not something we wait for — it’s something we choose. I have a sign in my home that simply says: Choose Joy.
It’s a daily reminder that joy is a state of consciousness, a vibration we can invite through gratitude.

And to choose gratitude, we must be awake.
Fully alive. Fully present in this sacred moment. When we awaken to the presence of God here and now,
everything begins to shift. The blessings around us come into focus. And we realize:
Every new day is a gift.

Even when we struggle to find things to be thankful for,
we can turn to Galatians 5:22:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
If nothing else, we can be grateful for these divine qualities within us.
They are the seeds of joy already planted in the soul.

Affirmations

✨ I am grateful for the beauty in every moment.
✨ I embrace innovation with curiosity.
✨ I choose the joy in gratitude.

And so it is.

Closing Prayer

God, thank You for the beauty of this new day.
Thank You for the Skylark that reminds us to rise and sing.
Thank You for the wonders of nature and the miracles of human creativity.

We are grateful for this sacred life —
for every blessing seen and unseen,
for the divine joy that flows through our hearts today.

May we walk in awareness,
choose gratitude in every circumstance,
and live as instruments of Your love and peace.

Amen.

Sunday Message — November 9, 2025
Rev. Lori Souza