I don’t think it is an easy question at all the more I think about it. On one level, a Christian should have no trouble answering it. On the other, how can one put it into words – it is deceptively simple? What can one say without it being only part of the answer, or trite?
The only way I can describe it is how it affects me – every day I get up wondering what God has in store for me – who am I to meet – what good things does he have – what exciting encounters am I going to have. – will I get to know Him better? I leap out of bed wondering: where are we going today?
Where to begin …?
As a young person, I needlessly or unknowingly put myself into
dangerous situations, and unscathed, lived to tell the tale.
In maturity, I had a heart attack in front of a cardiologist. I woke
up in a hospital room in pain (from their medical procedures), only to
be told that I had been treated so quickly that no damage had
occurred to the heart. Even with pain, I wept for joy and recalled
Paul’s encouragement to “Rejoice in the Lord always !”
I am grateful to God for my parents, although mom’s addiction to
cigarettes and dad’s addiction to alcohol meant they were both dead
before I turned 21. In their own imperfect way, they saw to it that
I received a good education in a Catholic school.
Now in my 60’s, what I am most grateful for is knowing that Jesus
is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
GRACE!!!
Wonderful, faithful friends, teammates and colleagues.
A calling and vocation that is deeply fulfilling.
God’s living and active Word and His promises… the hope of glory.
Life, love, family, friends, ministry, beauty, joy, sacraments, worship, the sure and certain hope, and more than anything else, the Love which is our God.
I’m with Marie. Reminds me of an essay my older son was supposed to write in CCD when he was in fourth grade: “What are you thankful for?” He wrote “I am thankful for everything” and handed it in.
But I can never be thankful for one thing without being thankful for everything. I’m thankful for the cold Pepsi in my hand right now. I’m thankful for the super duper carpet cleaner I bought yesterday that turned my brown entry hall carpet white. I’m thankful for the beautiful breeze on this lovely 75 degree day in August (!), I’m thankful that they’re live streaming matches from the US Open tennis tournament for the next two weeks and the resolution is awesome. I’m thankful to be alive in this most amazing and unlikely world amidst all its beauties, great and small.
And he gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
I agree with Pageantmaster and have continued to ponder this question for it is not an easy and quick one for me to answer. There is so much for which to be thankful! I think I have finally sifted it down for me. I am thankful that God created the world as He did, and in that vast creation provided and offered a way through it in accordance with his Love. That it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.
I don’t think it is an easy question at all the more I think about it. On one level, a Christian should have no trouble answering it. On the other, how can one put it into words – it is deceptively simple? What can one say without it being only part of the answer, or trite?
The only way I can describe it is how it affects me – every day I get up wondering what God has in store for me – who am I to meet – what good things does he have – what exciting encounters am I going to have. – will I get to know Him better? I leap out of bed wondering: where are we going today?
I am grateful for a question and a hope.
I am thankful for the establishment of the Ordinariate.
St. Paul’s Church (PEARUSA) Greenville, South Carolina!!!
For His love.
Everything!
Where to begin …?
As a young person, I needlessly or unknowingly put myself into
dangerous situations, and unscathed, lived to tell the tale.
In maturity, I had a heart attack in front of a cardiologist. I woke
up in a hospital room in pain (from their medical procedures), only to
be told that I had been treated so quickly that no damage had
occurred to the heart. Even with pain, I wept for joy and recalled
Paul’s encouragement to “Rejoice in the Lord always !”
I am grateful to God for my parents, although mom’s addiction to
cigarettes and dad’s addiction to alcohol meant they were both dead
before I turned 21. In their own imperfect way, they saw to it that
I received a good education in a Catholic school.
Now in my 60’s, what I am most grateful for is knowing that Jesus
is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
GRACE!!!
Wonderful, faithful friends, teammates and colleagues.
A calling and vocation that is deeply fulfilling.
God’s living and active Word and His promises… the hope of glory.
Life, love, family, friends, ministry, beauty, joy, sacraments, worship, the sure and certain hope, and more than anything else, the Love which is our God.
I’m with Marie. Reminds me of an essay my older son was supposed to write in CCD when he was in fourth grade: “What are you thankful for?” He wrote “I am thankful for everything” and handed it in.
But I can never be thankful for one thing without being thankful for everything. I’m thankful for the cold Pepsi in my hand right now. I’m thankful for the super duper carpet cleaner I bought yesterday that turned my brown entry hall carpet white. I’m thankful for the beautiful breeze on this lovely 75 degree day in August (!), I’m thankful that they’re live streaming matches from the US Open tennis tournament for the next two weeks and the resolution is awesome. I’m thankful to be alive in this most amazing and unlikely world amidst all its beauties, great and small.
And he gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
I agree with Pageantmaster and have continued to ponder this question for it is not an easy and quick one for me to answer. There is so much for which to be thankful! I think I have finally sifted it down for me. I am thankful that God created the world as He did, and in that vast creation provided and offered a way through it in accordance with his Love. That it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.