Giving thanks

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Bible verse seems extremely appropriate today, but at Mass this morning, we were challenged to pay attention to the second word:  all. In all circumstances, not just the ones we like or the times we are happy or when we feel moved to do so.  Even (and perhaps especially) when we’re frustrated, hurting, angry, sad and just don’t want to!  

God is all-powerful and all-good, meaning that nothing that happened in our lives is beyond God’s control. However, because God is all-knowing, He may permit something hard or painful or tragic in our lives that He can ultimately work for our eternal good. Because as a good father, He desires our well-being and ultimate happiness, which is only found with Him for eternity.

The challenge (or opportunity) today, and every day, is to give thanks at ALL times; the good, the bad, the ugly, the joyful, the ordinary. Always.

Thankful Thursday - A New Normal

One month,

Thirty days,

Seven hundred twenty hours,

Four hundred thirty-two thousand minutes,

Two million, five hundred ninety-two thousand seconds,

Since life entered a new normal.

But who's counting?

Thankful Thursday - both and

Again - time has slipped away.  Rather than bemoan that fact, I want to revel in what that has meant for me.  It’s been 7 months since I uprooted my life.  It seems like I’ve lived and worked here for years.  At the same time, the friendships and relationships I’ve left behind are missed and I feel the loss deeply.  But that is life.  Either or.  Both choices may be good, but you can only choose one.  I know, sometimes you get lucky and it’s not an either or, it’s a both and.  I do find that to be true, too.  Moving here has allowed me to combine my job with my faith.  I cannot begin to describe my gratitude for this opportunity.  

Yes, there are bumps and snags.  No, not every day is great, grand and glorious in my eyes.  I still struggle with good choices and a positive attitude and living for God.  I have a feeling those are permanent circumstances.  But, if I immerse myself the opportunities present, I know I am on the right path.  Both and wins, as do I.  

Prayer - Lord, thank you for the days when I struggle, as they remind me to lean on You.  Thank you for the times I feel out of control, as I learn that You control all.  Thank you for the moments when I despair, as You give me hope and grace when I cling to You.  May I always come to You first, for in You I am helped.

Thankful Thursday - Home, sweet home

Well, that was fast.

As in, I got an offer on my house and they wanted to close in 15 days!  Yikes.  Yesterday was closing, and now I am without a house.  Thanks to my fabulous realtor, Steve, for his time and commitment.  I am grateful for the opportunity to work with him.  God is good.

Having listed my house in January, shortly after I opened the current chapter in my life journey, I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of speed.  "The housing market is good," they said.  "Your house will sell quickly," they said.  I guess it's all relative.  

It's official!

It was definitely evident that God had a plan, even if I didn't know the details of said plan.  For one thing, I was never panicked about the sale of my house.  That's not to say I didn't have moments of anxiety or doubt.  Yet, I had a peace about the situation that wasn't of this world.  I am grateful that God granted me the grace of patience in this situation.  I had just experienced God's plan when I accepted my new job, so it made sense that this would have been figured out already.  Cross that off of my to-do list :-)

One thing that really made me smile was the timing of the offer.  I had been planning a surprise party on May 1, and the venue ended up being my unoccupied house, for lack of a better option.  The phone call about the offer came April 27, and I just knew that the timing was certainly of God - enough time to wrap things up, have the party, finalize details, and revel in God's goodness.  I liked the idea, too, that this happened around Tasha's birthday - I'm sure she had her fingers in there as well.

Celebrating the sale :-)

What's next?  I'm not sure.  In the next moments, I want to focus on God's goodness and the gifts I have received.  I cannot express enough how thankful I am for everyone's love and support.  So I will close with this prayer:

Ephesians 3:14-19  "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

The house formerly known as mine :-)

Thankful Thursday - One day more

Today is my niece's birthday, and she's celebrating it in Heaven. She would be 23 years old. I think one of the best gifts she ever gave me was her example of fully living in the moment. I think of her and am reminded how I want to live my days to the fullest.

I sometimes wonder, when I think about her and my other beloved dead, especially those who died suddenly, if they would have lived differently, had they known when their lives were ending.  None of us have a crystal ball, nor should we, in my opinion.   Yet, it is incumbent upon us to live our lives in such a way that we have no fear of death.  

Jesus lived that way.  He knew what was to come, still went forward. Into the pain and suffering willingly. If we knew what tomorrow held, would we still embrace it, bumps and all? Or are we too busy thinking about what could happen, so we forget to live in the present? Or conversely we focus on what didn't go the way we wanted, and we are mired in the past, failing to live fully? Ultimately, we have one true call, to live now, loving and serving God and our neighbor.

 How will you live that call?

Thankful Thursday 3/3/16 - The Unexpected

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

So, my Thursday started like any other day.  Lots to do at work.  Go to Mass.  Stop to visit my parents.  Eat supper with them.  Fracture my foot on my way out the door.  The usual routine.  Wait . . . . What???  

Well, I took the 2nd last step as if I were on the bottom step, and down I went.  The irony is, we worry about my parents tripping and falling, and I"m the one who fell!  Oops.  The doctor says I'm in the boot for now and he wants to see me in 10 days.  

Well, that certainly wasn't part of MY plan.  I just attended a healing Mass the night BEFORE!  Rotten timing.  Just another reminder that I'm not in charge :-)!

I'll admit, I have a history of crazy foot injuries.  Well, only 2, but they are unique.  The time I stepped on a pork chop bone when I was a kid (this is when you gave food bones to your dogs on the farm and they left them all over) and it punctured my shoe and foot and I had to get a tetanus shot.  Or the time I sprained both of my ankles at once when I was first out of college, living by myself (I blame my platform shoes).  Stairs were especially challenging.  Talk about being immobile!  

Thankful Thursday - reminders

Picture this.

I'm on my hand and knees carefully running my palm over the carpet in my room.  I'm desperately feeling for the back to my earring.  Naturally, it's a small, clear back for dangling earrings and I have a cream white carpet. Not a good combination.  As I'm tamping down my frustration, trying to decide how much time I really should spend looking for this, a bible story comes to mind.  The woman who lost a coin:

"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it?"  ~Luke 15:8

I glance around and think, 'No way am I moving everything in this room!'  The room isn't that big, but not for a single, replaceable earring back.  It's not worth it.  And yet, I am reminded that when either I or another person is lost, God would overturn everything to bring us home.  

"And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  ~Luke 15:9-10

Thankful Thursday - 4/9/15

Happy Easter!

No, I'm not confused on my days; we are celebrating the octave of Easter.  This means that we celebrate Easter for 8 days - Sunday to Sunday.  Then, we continue celebrating the Easter season for a total of 50 days.  As the most important Feast of our liturgical year, it makes sense to pull out all of the stops to celebrate :)  I was actually just reading about the octave of Easter in my Living Liturgy 2015 book:

"Eight is an important symbolic number.  The early Christians called Sunday the "eighth day."  Since our week has seven days, "eighth day" referred to a day beyond the human reckoning of time - beyond time, belonging to the end times.  Theologically, this refers to "eschatological" time when Jesus Christ will return in all his glory to gather everything back to God at the end and fullness of time.  Thus, the Easter octave means more than simply going from one Sunday to the next; it heightens our expectation that the risen Life we celebrate is the same Life that we will one day share with the Trinity in everlasting glory."

How cool is that?!?!?!

Thankful Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - March 27-29, 2015

POP Rocks :)

I haven't been as good about recording my thankfulness as I would like.  So here's a mega-thankful post that covers the recent experiences I've had.  

-Bananas 2015 - I had the privilege of playing a small part with the music for this event.  As usual, I have received much more than I gave.  To be on the stage with all of the students who were there to Go Bananas for Jesus - wow!  The power in the gym was incredible (and the music wasn't half bad either!).  I love music, and I especially enjoy when I can play music that I love.  Our songs and musicians and audience made Friday night electric.  

Thankful Thursday 2/12/15

I am thankful for a life well-lived.  I'm not talking about myself.  Rather, I wish to honor a memory.  Today is the 1-year anniversary of Leo Miller's death.  I did not know him as well as I might have liked, but what I did know, I learned from his kids and daughter-in-law.  I think that is a testament to Leo's life.

In my limited experience with loss and death, I know the best gift I can give is time.  At least for me, those who take time to remember my loved ones help my healing.  That may be time with those who grieve, taking time to remember the person who died, or making time to tell those left behind, 'I will not forget him; his memory lives on.'  Therefore, I would like to share my thoughts of Leo and his legacy.

Thankful Thursday 2/5/15

It's been a while since I've posted a specific 'Thankful Thursday' post.  The month of January, for me, was characterized by illness and travel.  Thankfully, however, they did not happen concurrently!  That is a definite blessing.  I had bronchitis before I left, and I was rather nervous about being sick during my trip.  Read about it here:  Have patience, my child.  Then, about a week after I returned, I was out sick with sinus infection, sinusitis, etc.  While I am feeling much improved, I am slower than I would like.  So many things I want to do, and I only have energy for half of one item.  So, February 7th's reflection in Jesus Calling was a comfort to me:

"Come to me for rest and refreshment.  The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary.  Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion.  instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.  Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different.  Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be.  You will get through today one step, one moment at a time.  Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway. . . "

I know my experiences are minor in comparison to chemotherapy or fibromyalgia or other debilitating disorders.  I am also aware of how blessed I am for my good health, and how easy it is to take for granted.  Regardless of the gravity of any of our current circumstances, we all have experiences where life is not going according to 'our' plan.  Do not despair.  God's got this.

Prayer:  Lord, I am sorry for all of the times I have failed to appreciate the blessings in my life, especially the things I take for granted.  Thank you for this opportunity to grow in awareness of Your presence at all times.  Help me to be open to Your graces.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  ~Romans 8:28

Thankful Thursday - 12/25/14

My heart is full, and there is even more room for joy and love, possibilities and challenges, and whatever life presents.  I think that when we exemplify Christ's love, our hearts grow to even bigger capacities than we thought possible.

~Love~
Love is laughter and happiness, giving and receiving.
Love is sharing pain and struggles, tears and frustrations.
Love is family, even when you don't agree or get along.
Love is harder than we want, and better than we imagine.
Love is Christmas, every day of our lives.
Live Love.

Thankful Thursday 12/18/14

If you read about my recent automotive adventures here, you can appreciate that I am very thankful for my transportation.  This week it has included walking, riding my bike (painfully slow, perhaps), getting rides from friends, and ultimately having my own 'wheels' again!  The entire adventure was very interesting.  It was a great experience in reminding me to be grateful for things that I normally take for granted.  Being able to go to the grocery store when I want, for example.  Certainly not earth-shattering nor is that a life-and-death situation, but it is one instance where I forget how easy I have it.  It was always good to be in a situation where I had to ask for help.  Independence is ingrained in us, and praised from a young age, but good relationships require interaction.  It is good to give help, but it is also good, and sometimes harder, to receive help.  I believe it was God's grace that allowed me to have a mostly positive attitude about the experience. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  ~Jeremiah 29:11.  This verse speaks to me of the reality that even in the valleys, we have 'hope and a future'.  It's easy to forget this when life is easy, or things are going according to our plan.  Yet, it is in valleys, when we feel lost or overwhelmed, that we are even closer to God.  Our vulnerability opens us to God in ways that our success cannot. 

In this week before Christmas, may we keep the joy of Christmas first and foremost, so that whether our lives are in the peaks or valleys, we can wholeheartedly trust in God's promise. 

Thankful Thursday 12/11/14 - resolutions

It's been an incredible week.  Lots of good things happening in my world and internally in my prayer life.  One thing that I am most thankful for right now is my spiritual resolution to make prayer time a priority.  Since Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, it makes sense to consider some spiritual resolutions, just like many people do at the beginning of new calendar year.  Yes, I usually make resolutions, and no, I don't always keep them.  However, the idea of spiritual resolutions really intrigued me.  I believe each day is a new opportunity to start fresh or continue a good work.  That's forgiveness, mercy, and grace in action!  So, I decided to work on my prayer life as a spiritual resolution.

Thankful Thursday 12/4/14

I'm falling into my trap of perfection again.  If I don't reflect properly or quickly or some other adverb, then I can't post anything until I catch up.  It's a terrible misconception on my part.  On one hand, there are so many great things during the season of Advent which lend to my reflection and contemplation.  On the other hand, I believe that there will always be opportunities for reflection, so waiting doesn't get me anywhere in my writing.

Quandary of quandaries.  This feels very chicken/egg :)

So, in the interest of consistency, here is my latest 'Thankful Thursday', albeit a little delayed:

The season of Advent is my current chart-topper in thankfulness.  I have been experiencing such depth during this time, and a sense of peace.  There are so many questions, unknowns, and varieties of chaos in my life currently, yet I can trust that God has a plan.  A recent conversation with a friend reaffirmed my viewpoint.  We were discussing a longing that has been growing in me, and I commented that I felt like Advent was a good time to journey with this desire.  She agreed, and encouraged me to focus on this season of waiting as a parallel to my questions on my journey.  I have the ability to help others discern and identify their feelings, which generally means that I can't do that as well for myself.  It was wonderful to hear that feedback and have my uncertain vision lightened by her words.

Prayer - Lord, thank you for a season that gives me an opportunity to wait.  Help me to open my heart to Your call, learning to trust in Your plan.

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you - oracle of the Lord - plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope."  ~Jeremiah 29:11

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving 2014

Lord, on this day of gratitude I lift my prayer:

~May I never take for granted the gift of life.  Help me to always honor this gift by living according to Your Will.

~May I always appreciate the love of family and friends.  Teach me to open my home and heart to all.

~May I not forget how precious each of God's creatures are.  Show me how to love others as You love.

~May I live each day as though it was my last, not fearful or filled with regret.  Remind me that You have a plan.

~May I sing for joy, this day and every day, as I open my eyes to the richness of life.  Fill me with Your grace .

~May I journey forward, confident in You.  Guide my path so I may live eternally with You.

"Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love endures forever;" ~1 Chronicles 16:34

Thankful Thursday 11/20/14 - Give Thanks part 2

Yesterday was a full day, but, as I anticipated, it went smoothly.  I credit that to my focus.  By looking to God's plan, and not mine, I kept things in perspective.  Yes, it was a long day, and I struggled at various points, but, I believe that because of my focus, my day was better.  Matthew Kelly refers to the goal of being intentional; what are you going to do, and how are you going to do it, and then you get up and do it!

By naming my priority for the day, I was intentional about my actions.  Much like one can choose his/her attitude, I chose my focus.  I wanted to be glad in my Maker, and sing for joy (see post here).  No, I did not break out into song during the meetings, although I was given permission to do so during one meeting!  I'm not saying that every day I'm going to keep this up or have my focus on that priority.  I will, however, continue to strive for that attitude on a regular basis.

I want to sing for joy.

Thankful Thursday 11/20/14 - Give Thanks

Today will be a full day.  I know, what days aren't?  I don't want to call it busy, because that word has become synonymous with harried, frantic, and other slightly negative terms.  I prefer the word full, because I intend to be mindful throughout my day.  My activities are deliberate, even if there
are many that will happen today.  I wish to be present for every part of the day.  That is my goal.  From board meetings to council meetings and everything in between, I am thankful.

The verses of today's responsorial psalm reaffirm my goals:

Thankful Thursday 11/13/14 - Emmalyn

I'm posting this early, because I wanted to share a connection that has been instrumental in my life.  Today I learned that my very first piano teacher died.  Emmalyn was a dear soul.  I don't remember a lot of details from my first piano lessons with her, but there are a few things that stick out.

Her house had a beautiful sun room, and I loved to peek in after my lesson was
finished.  I sometimes got to wait in there for my mom to pick me up.  I remember working in my very first piano books that had the funny songs and drawings to help me learn my lessons.  She always had a sweet treat for after the lesson, but it wasn't a bribe or reward for doing well; she simply had the gift of hospitality.  I liked her, even as a young child.  I've had teachers who intimidated me, but Emmalyn was a welcoming presence.  She loved music and teaching, which was evident.

I don't recall when I stopped taking lessons from her, but living in a small town meant our lives intersected many more times.  Over the course of my grade school, high school, and college years I took some more music lessons, but none of my teachers had a cool sun room or cookies after lessons :)  My technique improved, and my love of music grew.  Over the years I played for many, many church services, school Masses, and even, on occasion, just for fun.  I dabbled in teaching my own students, minus a cool sun room, and truly enjoyed helping students grow and learn.

Thankful Thursday 11/6/14

Today I am thankful for forgiveness.  This is really a daily thanks, if I'm willing to admit I when I am wrong!  I recently took my stress and frustration out on a friend, and shortly after the moment, I realized my error.  I wanted to justify my position and words.  I was tired, I am behind on project A, I have thing B looming over me, I am allowed to be grouchy once in a while!  The reality was, no, there is never an excuse for being unkind.  So shortly after our interaction, I knew I had to apologize and seek forgiveness.

Thankfully the circle from me messing up, realizing my mistake, and seeking forgiveness is getting smaller.  So either I'm recognizing my error and resolving it more quickly, or I'm getting more practice because I do it too much.  Hmmm.