Thanksgiving

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything he has given us - and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love, every moment of existence is a gift of grace, for it brings with it immense graces from him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. -Thomas Merton

These last few months have been so full. Never in my life have I been so constantly in a state of heightened emotion and responsibility. My mind has been full of cares and concerns, of thankfulness and anger, of disappointment and hope. God has been busy at work and has granted me a part in that work, though most days I am unclear as to what role I should be playing.

Last weekend we did a 30 Hour Famine at our church. All the churches in Milbank were invited to participate, but I ended up doing the majority of the work. I was stressed, I was tired, and at the beginning of the event I just wanted to get through it. I just wanted it to be over. It is a good thing that God can speak to us even when it's the last thing we want to hear.

During the Famine, the youth that came surprised me. They decided to think about others instead of themselves - even if it was only for a moment. They are going to raise money to buy high quality hand filters in order to provide people in Haiti with clean drinking water. We are calling it the Clean Water Project. However, this is not really what this post is about.

I had to learn a lesson - be thankful for everything. Be thankful for the food you eat and the water you drink. That was what I was expecting to learn. What I really learned is to be thankful when you least feel like being thankful. Be grateful even when you don't feel it. Focus on God's blessings instead of all the challenges. Be grateful for the Son of God - if you have nothing else in your life to be thankful for - remember the love of God through Jesus Christ. You are loved - oh you are so loved.

Awake to the new wonder and praise of the goodness of God.