We have so much for which to be thankful! There is so much about God our Father to Praise! After all, HE IS GOD!
Praise You, Lord; You are our loving Father, who gives when we did not earn it and even when we do not deserve it! You are perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful. You know our hearts and minds FULLY. You are Creator; You bring Life and Truth and Beauty! Your Mercy Lord endures; it is incomprehensible to us. Your gifts of Holy Mother Church, the Eucharist, our Blessed Mother and the gift of Your Holy Spirit…You lavish us with them all for our benefit and help and guidance! The greatness of the Sacraments…what a treasure of grace they are! The beauty and help of the Sacramentals…oh, what a gift given to us! Praise You, God!
I was catching up with a wonderful woman who said so emphatically – I thank Him for the hardships and trials. It was beautiful – not just what she said but how she said it. It was said with complete abandon, surrender and trust. She did not say it without struggle, for she, like we are only human, but she professed it with confidence! I have many times said very reluctantly that I will thank and praise Him for my cross – but not the way this woman said it. It really struck me that I need to PRACTICE this! So here it goes:
Lord, I thank You for the struggle with finances. I trust it is for our benefit and protecting us from self-reliance.
Lord, I thank You for the struggles and changes in growing older. I trust the lessons learned will have eternal benefits.
Lord, I thank You for the doubts and faith struggles of those I love so dearly. I trust that they will come out on the other side of this time more in love with You than ever.
Lord, I thank You for aging parents and the struggles that entails. I trust it is for the good of their souls and ours.
Lord, I thank You for the sickness and disease in our family. I trust that You have allowed them as a reminder that this Earth is not our home.
Lord, I thank You for the transition to parenting older children and the struggles that entails. I trust You, Lord!
Lord, I thank You for the struggles involved in homeschooling. I trust that You have called us to this lifestyle for this year and will grant us the graces needed to accomplish Your will.
Perhaps this will be my Advent? Perhaps I am to practice giving thanks to God Almighty with confidence and trust? What do you need to practice? What do you need to practice with a different attitude? Funny how adding a few extra words to the same questions can make you see something so differently.
Jesus, I trust in You!
