Brothers and Sisters:
Awhile back there was a thread that asked us what we are thankful for in our lives. There were many edifying responses as each one who followed examined himself and offered things from the heart and from lived spiritual experience.
It is said that the measure of a saint is the extent of his thankfulness. When we see the hurts, calamities, failures, and problems of others, it can put us to shame, expecially when we too often look at another with greater "stuff" and falsely believe that he is better off than we are or more advanced or more favored by God. Too often we forget that we have three square meals and weight problems when many in the world go hungry. Too often we forget that we have heat and a warm home when we complain about the energy bills and so many have no home and no way to get warm.
So let me post a simple little prayer that I wrote after praying about that thread, looking deeply into my own heart, examining my conscience, and really being honest with myself. And let me add another that has come as I have examined further the people I am grateful for. People are important; stuff can be lost and replaced, but a person can never be replaced: each one is a one-of-a-kind original.
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Thank you, Lord, for making me who I am. Sometimes I wish I had another's talents. Sometimes I wish I had another's seeming luck, or position, or money, or power. But as long as I remember that You love me and walk with me and care for me I will be okay with whatever You send me. Thanks for everything. AMEN.
Thank you, Lord, for each of the brothers and sisters You have given me in Baptism and who walk with me on the pilgrim journey to the Kingdom. Each has been a gift and each has had some word or kind deed to edify and build up my faith. Grant me to give back to them some kind word or deed to edify and build them up as they have done for me. Some are administratively separated from me, but not by the will of either them or me. They are still part of Your Family and related to me no matter the barrier. Help me to remember that my relationship with You includes relationship with each of them no matter what human barriers may keep us apart. Help me to remember the "mathematics" of love: that love can only be added and multiplied, but can never be subtracted or divided. Thanks again for all You have given to all of us. AMEN.
In Christ who has gifted me with the witness of each of you,
BOB
