Begin With Thanksgiving

Southern Illinois, 12/30/2011

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  ~~2Peter 3: 18~~

~~~~~

You can never say

Thank you to God too often

God is generous

All that I receive 

Is generously given

I reply, thank you

~~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Note: This picture has not been enhanced, only cropped.  This is the glory of God!

Thank You!!

"Prayer is an uplifting of the heart, a cry of gratitude and love."~~Saint Therese of Lisieux





During this Advent Season I don't think I take enough time to to this.  But it's not too late!!!  Relax and say, "Thank you!"

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

One Thousand Gifts

Gifts
Precious Treasures
Given with love, affection
Welcomed with open arms and love
Presents

***+***

11. Thank God for the warmth of the sunshine.

12. For the gift of rest and quiet I am grateful

13. I am grateful for the gift of flowers that have volunteered this summer to grace the garden. They have been beautiful at a time when tending the garden has not been possible.

14. For the gifts that Jimmy and Kelly have and thanksgiving for the God who brought them together.

15. In gratitude for the strength to grow in faith when I would rather just quit.

~~~^j^~~~

For all these and more
I say,
"Thanks be to God!"

Prayer

We believe that God is present everywhere and that
the eyes of the Lord gaze everywhere on the good and bad.
We should, though, be totally convinced that this is so
when we are present at the Divine Office.

Saint Benedict

The Gift of Saint Benedict
by
Verna A. Holyhead, SGS
Lynne Muir

And so if gazing on the good and the bad the eyes of the Lord are gazing, they must ALWAYS be on me. This requires conviction on my part. And the question for me is, "Am I present to Him?"

Yesterday, was a taxing day at work. We were really short handed as we have never been before. There was only the two of us to take care of the patients, take phone calls and make referrals for two doctors and the nurse practitioner.

Calling on the presence of God was a constant prayer it seemed yesterday. I prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance and courage. I invoked the name of the Lord to help me with the most difficult patients. And on a number of instances I truly did invoke, "Glory be to God!" in sincere thanksgiving.

Yes, indeed yesterday was a day FULL of prayer! I believe that I can say with all sincerity that yesterday was one of those days when we were in real communion, God and me.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

There are days when I don't think I'm very special. Those days when I lose my temper over petty things, cleaning up a mess in the kitchen while others are playing or having to do laundry at work because no one else will. I'm a great fan of the "Pity Party." The truth is I really feel awful when I do this. I don't like ME at all when I do this. And no one notices the "pucker lip" or pouty face. They have their own problems...Why do I do it then? I guess it's because Satan gets his greatest pleasure out of seeing me unhappy! And I buy into HIS happiness. SHAME on ME!!!!!

Today I will try very hard to remember that "God Thinks I'm Special" and show the rest of those around me that I BELIEVE it!!! I will do the laundry with a smile and do the dishes humming a tune. God loves me and Satan doesn't. That makes all the difference in the world!!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!