Dear Parishioners,
I read this mother’s prayer somewhere:
“Thank you Lord for this sink of dirty dishes; that means we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; it has baked so many things over the years. Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door; my kids are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.”
As simple as this story is, I think it captures what real gratitude is. The kind of gratitude that doesn’t depend on situations anymore.
And there’s a big difference between knowing you need to be grateful, and actually having every cell of your body singing, “Thank You!”
It’s one of the sweetest things in the world.
Nothing can touch you. You’re at peace.
When you have this kind of gratitude, you receive so many blessings. Why? Because everything can become a blessing to you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito