“Now thank we all our God, with hearts, and hands, and voices.” As a child I sang these words with a full heart. But things change. I don’t recall at which moment I forgot to thank God, but I’ll bet He does.
Thanking God in every moment. Sometimes I wonder how much time I spend complaining to God about my life – this person who offended me, the bills that go unpaid, my children who won’t take my advice. The list goes on and on.
Then I realize this is getting me nowhere. It is making me grumpy and negative and not a pleasure to be around. That’s when I need a jolt! A zap! A strong prompting from the Holy Spirit.
“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus!” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). When I first read this I thought, “Wow! Whoever does this must have an easy life.” In my ignorance, I didn’t understand that those who follow this verse probably live a happier life.
I too could be a happier person. Now I’ve changed my prayer strategy. I begin by thanking God for everything. It’s easy to thank Him for the perks, but those sour days are difficult. I want to cry, “Why me, God?”
However, a small but powerful lesson from St. Therese comes to mind, “Everything is a grace.” Imagine! Everything??? That person who hit my car? The poor morale at work? A heated argument?
It was then I realized that God allows these mishaps to shape and mold us into the saints he wants, not the ones we want. These trials just make us stronger and yes, they are graces.
In the midst of terrible friction with a friend, I had to stop myself and thank God for her. Although sometimes she is like sandpaper to me — rubbing me the wrong way — God used the situation to strengthen me. I learned to try to be gentler, therefore, loving my neighbor in a solid way. I realize I received the grace of loving those who are not pleasant at times.
When terrible arguments break out in my home, it is also a grace. God is showing me my sinfulness including, my sharp tongue, or my condescending looks. It takes me a moment to realize that my daughter’s constant eye roll came from me. When I have the grace to see this, I understand that I am not looking like a loving Christian to anyone.
Thanking God makes me see what gifts God has bestowed upon me: a home, a family, a job, friends, and the freedom to pray and worship. Thanking Him also frees my heart from negativity and worry. It opens me up to His powerful grace. It is then where I see possible solutions I did not see before.
Thank you – two small words that can change your world.
Copyright © 2013, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
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