Acknowledging our Blessings

In a confession I had last month, the priest talked about writing down 20 different things I was grateful for and doing that for a week.  I think this practice, even just thinking of these things and not writing them down, is something that would be beneficial for all of us.  A huge part of our relationship with God is acknowledging Him for all of the blessings in our lives and taking time to thank Him.  Are we doing this often throughout our days, every day?

With Thanksgiving being this week, it’s a day many people take more time than usual to reflect on what they’re thankful for, and this sometimes extends into the following weeks too.  But this should not be limited to just one day or season out of the year.  Our whole lives should center on gratitude.  God has blessed us with so much.  So, we should ask ourselves, how do we respond to the blessings He has given us?

There are so many different ways we can pray and acknowledge the blessings in our lives.  It doesn’t have to be complicated.  Simply saying, “thank you God” in moments throughout our days, especially when we wake up and before going to sleep, is an easy way to incorporate gratitude into our lives and to remember that everything and everyone in our lives is a gift from God.  Another way to acknowledge our blessings is to sit in His presence in eucharistic adoration, thanking Him and sitting before Him, with open hearts, to receive the love He wants to pour out on us.  Then there is the Mass.  The greatest and highest form of worship, it is the best place to praise and give thanks to God, showing gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice.  The word Eucharist even means “thanksgiving.”

We are rich in life because God has and continues to bless each of us with so much.  When thinking about what I am grateful for in this moment, there is so much that comes to mind.  I am grateful for my Catholic faith and the Church, for the love of Jesus, the ability to practice my faith freely, all of the faith opportunities I have that help me deepen my faith, for my family, for the ability to write about and share my faith, for everyone who is a part of my faith community and journey and has supported me with prayer and encouragement, for the beautiful sunrises and sunsets God gives us as well as the beauty in the world around us, for the ability to work, and so much more.

May we all live with spirits of gratitude, always thanking God for who is in our lives and for all that we have!  What are you grateful for?