Thanksgiving day and I think it’s time to change the subject…. Well not entirely but today I’m putting aside the intensity of the suffering and instead I’m making a list. Here is my list of what I am thankful for:
- I’m thankful for being able to see the hand of God constantly in my life. That’s the beauty of suffering- you would never get to see God move so powerfully without it.
- I’m thankful for what I’ve learned about myself. Although some of the things that have happened has taken a toll on my confidence, seeing myself (with God’s grace) stand up under the suffering and endure has made me realize I’m kind of amazing.
- I’m thankful for family who has stood beside and supported me in many many ways.
- I’m thankful for the generosity of people. When this suffering began for our family and word got out, so many people stepped forward to help us get through–including people I didn’t even know. We had people help with shopping, laundry, cleaning, getting kids’ the places they needed to go, prayers and many many meals among other things.
- I’m thankful for good Christian friends who have prayed and listened and kept me balanced and gave me perspective when I felt like I was going crazy.
- I’m thankful for those basics we take for granted–that I never had to go without or even think much about, like shelter, food, and clothes. We have more than enough.
- I’m thankful for the communion of saints who have also stood beside me and received many of my prayers: especially Pio, Therese, Anthony, Rita, Joseph and Augustine.
- I’m thankful for how amazing nature is, how God can show himself, speak through it and how it inherently has joy and signs of God imprinted in it.
- I’m thankful for the Catholic Church , her Magisterium and her unwavering faith and morals–the truth that doesn’t change as the culture does.
- I’m thankful for my faith and morals.
- I’m thankful that I’ve lost over 30 pounds since I’ve had the baby and feel good and enjoy clothes shopping for the first time in a while.
- I’m thankful for a large family and all the joy, craziness, chaos and fun that goes with it. Therein lies true joy.
- I’m thankful that I’ve been a stay-at-home mom ever since my first child was born over 12 years ago.
- I’m thankful for miracles.