The following was written for the OLBH Bulletin Cover for January 7, 2018:
“I survived 2017!” That was one of the first things someone mentioned to me on New Years Day. It is a “common” sentiment shared by many people. Throughout the year, we’ve all dealt with hardships of some kind. Maybe it was the death of a loved one. Perhaps we or a family member have been dealing with series illnesses. For others, the first or last child has moved out of the home to go to college, begin a career or joined the military. All of these things are hard, and we struggle with these hardships and challenges in our lives. So those tend to be the things we remember most vividly, and we are glad they are in the past.
But as we reflect over the past year, there are things for which we can be grateful. For me, it includes a change in careers, a trip to Ireland, and the birth of grandbabies. While these “big” events are easy to identify and be grateful for, what are the smaller things we are overlooking for which we also should be grateful?
In the first reading from Isaiah, we read “Raise your eyes and look about…” That is the basis of what I challenge you to do differently in 2018. Be aware of all the things you can be grateful for, in your life. It might be something as simple as having the medicines available to help with symptoms of the common cold. Perhaps it is the beauty of a particular sunrise or sunset. Maybe you are grateful for the comfy bed to crawl into at the end of a day. Perhaps it is an unexpected favorite meal someone prepares for you. But we can also be grateful for being present with someone dying, enjoying a cup of coffee with an ill neighbor, or sharing the excitement and joy of a child as they begin a new phase in their life.
As I’m sure many of you have seen on Facebook or other places, get a jar or a box and some small pieces of paper. Then at least once a week, write a short note on the paper about what you are grateful for in the past week. You can do this as an individual, as a couple, or as a family. If doing it individually, maybe you have different colored slips of paper for each member of the family. Each week, perhaps on Sunday evenings as part of your prayer time, take a moment to write your note and place it in the jar or box.
Then, at the end of 2018 or on New Years Day 2019, open the jar or box and reflect on all the things for which you have been grateful. Just like the wise men “opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”, you can open your own special gift to yourself.
By taking the couple minutes a week to note what we are grateful for, it will allow us to recognize, as Paul writes to the Ephesians, we “are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” And we will have experienced the joy of being grateful.
Have a blessed and grateful 2018.
Deacon Greg
Serviam
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