I am not sure that I know how to explain this, but there have been moments in my life when I have been captured by gratitude.  It is like it just comes and takes me away.  Oddly enough, it can come in sad times when grief wants to run out of my eyes, but gratitude carries me along as my happy companion.  Joy and sorrow, grief and gratitude have sung to me.  Gratitude carried the melody and I worshiped.  It is a mystery!  How can I feel gratitude in the midst of pain and sorrow?  Yet, I do!  When gratitude comes, I find joy in having been made the captive of a good and generous God.

“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”  Psalm 138:2 (ESV)