O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 107: 1
When I look back on my life, I can only think of how good God has been to me. No matter what I've done, God's Mercy and Love are always waiting. He could have been the Just Judge, but instead He was the Merciful Father. That is because His Mercy triumphs over His judgement for those who repent. How could I not be thankful for the countless "second chances" that He gives me? The beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is that once you confess your sins and are absolved, your sins are forgiven. Your slate is wiped clean. God forgets how disobedient you were, and He rejoices at the beauty of a soul that gets up and tries again. God knows our weaknesses and the limits of our humanity and still chooses to love us and extend His loving Mercy. That's what the Cross is all about! God knew we couldn't fix what humanity (then just composed of Adam and Eve) had done in the Garden of Eden. He voluntarily chose to come to earth "in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross." (from Philippians 2:7-8) He did this that we might have something to offer God "in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world." (from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy) The beauty of it all overwhelms me!
I am also in awe of the Goodness of what God has given me, and how He has made everything work out for my good. I don't always know what He's doing or understand how certain things can be His will, but when I trust in Him I see everything work out in a way more perfect than I could have planned for. I just have to stop thinking in human terms and trust in Heaven's plan and God's perfect providence.
His Goodness has not failed me yet! He has blessed me with health, a family that loves me and supports the discernment of my vocation to Religious Life, wonderful and holy friends and companions to travel with me and discern with me this foundation, and most recently, He has blessed me with the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my family. There are so many things I could count, that the list would be endless if I tried to write it all down. Everything I have and everything that I am ultimately comes from God. I have to admit that everything in my past, even all the heartaches and sorrow, were a blessing from the Goodness of God. Had I not had those trials and sorrows, I might not have come to trust God the way I do now, or I may not have desired to grow so close to God - learning dependency and child-like trust. No matter what the situation, I have always been able to look back and see God's providence at work. I don't always respond with blind obedience in the moment, but God finds another way. This Thanksgiving I am praying for the grace to remember that God provides for everything that I need. It's not always what I "want", but it is always what I need to grow closer to Him, to grow in holiness, or just something I didn't know I needed.
May all of you have a blessed remainder of your holiday weekend, and may you always be thankful for the many gifts and blessings - seen and unseen, known and unknown - that God has given to you and placed in your life.
Written by Catherine
I am also in awe of the Goodness of what God has given me, and how He has made everything work out for my good. I don't always know what He's doing or understand how certain things can be His will, but when I trust in Him I see everything work out in a way more perfect than I could have planned for. I just have to stop thinking in human terms and trust in Heaven's plan and God's perfect providence.
His Goodness has not failed me yet! He has blessed me with health, a family that loves me and supports the discernment of my vocation to Religious Life, wonderful and holy friends and companions to travel with me and discern with me this foundation, and most recently, He has blessed me with the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my family. There are so many things I could count, that the list would be endless if I tried to write it all down. Everything I have and everything that I am ultimately comes from God. I have to admit that everything in my past, even all the heartaches and sorrow, were a blessing from the Goodness of God. Had I not had those trials and sorrows, I might not have come to trust God the way I do now, or I may not have desired to grow so close to God - learning dependency and child-like trust. No matter what the situation, I have always been able to look back and see God's providence at work. I don't always respond with blind obedience in the moment, but God finds another way. This Thanksgiving I am praying for the grace to remember that God provides for everything that I need. It's not always what I "want", but it is always what I need to grow closer to Him, to grow in holiness, or just something I didn't know I needed.
May all of you have a blessed remainder of your holiday weekend, and may you always be thankful for the many gifts and blessings - seen and unseen, known and unknown - that God has given to you and placed in your life.
Written by Catherine
