to be gratefully shared in

I'll blame it on the Catholic upbringing, but guilt is an amazing thing. On the one hand, it keeps you in gratitude, reminds you that you deserve nothing. On the other hand, it keeps you from the joy of experiencing the gifts of grace. I don't know that there is an appropriate balance, and it may be that the balance is situation-dependent.

I want to enjoy and be purely thankful for the gifts. But I never want to lose the feeling of gaining something I simply don't deserve. I want to say thank you knowing full well thank you isn't enough but that nothing besides the thank you is wanted.

And if the life of faith is simply walking the line that looks for the balance, sign me up for that marathon.