Today’s Invite: LOOK!
What if God is already showing up in the ordinary moments of your day-and you simply need to LOOK?
A Thought to Begin
“Let me keep company always with those who say ‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.”
—Mary Oliver, “Mysteries, Yes,” Evidence (2009)
Scripture
“Stand and consider the marvels of God!”
Reflection
The other day, I was driving with my adult son when I saw the most amazing sunrise.
I immediately said, “Joey, look! Isn’t it beautiful?”
In a perfectly monotone voice, he responded, “It’s a sky, Mom.”
Maybe it was still a little too early for him. Maybe it was the stress of driving on a busy expressway. Or maybe he was already thinking about everything he needed to accomplish before the day was over.
Unfortunately, many of us live with these kinds of distractions. We become so focused on the demands, stresses, and worries of the day that we miss not only the beauty surrounding us, but also the quiet gifts God places before us.
God is constantly revealing Himself to us—in the colors of a sunrise, the sound of laughter, the kindness of another person, or a moment of unexpected peace. These small gifts can easily go unnoticed when we hurry through our days without stopping to look.
Today, God invites us to slow down and pay attention.
Look at the beauty surrounding you.
Look for the person who may need your kindness.
Look for the quiet ways God is present in an ordinary moment.
When something catches your attention, pause. Allow yourself to experience wonder. Let that moment remind you that God is near.
Something to Think About…
What may God be asking me to stop and notice today?
Today, I will pause and look for one small sign of God’s love—and when I find it, I will stand in wonder and give thanks.
The Journey: Hindsight is 20/20
Sometimes we can only recognize where God was leading us when we look back. This is the story of an unexpected opportunity and how God used it to prepare my heart for Choose Joy Always.
View of the Rocky Mountains through the library windows at the Jesuit high school where I worked for twelve years.
A Thought to Begin
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.”
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, “Patient Trust”
Scripture
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Reflection
I am sure you have heard the saying that hindsight is 20/20.
There have been many times in my life when I could not understand what God was doing or where He was leading me. It was only later—after spending time reflecting, discerning, and praying—that I began to recognize His hand at work in my life.
One of those times was when I went back to work as my children were reaching high school age.
I saw that the Jesuit high school where my twins had just started was looking for a library assistant. Even though I had no experience in library science, I went ahead and applied. To my surprise, I got an interview.
I felt it was a good sign when I walked into the school and heard my name being shouted from across the hall.
“Mrs. Whitley, what are you doing here?”
It was one of the girls from my parish. She ran over and welcomed me with a big hug.
That same welcoming love continued to embrace me throughout the next twelve years as I worked at the Jesuit high school.
It was there that I learned the true meaning of cura personalis, the Ignatian term for care of the whole person. I experienced that care firsthand. Through the love and care of those around me, God gave me countless opportunities to experience His love—and to share that same love with others.
It was also there that my own faith life continued to grow. I was given the opportunity to attend Mass regularly. As a school community, we stopped four times each day to pray, including an afternoon Examen. I came to know and understand Ignatian spirituality more deeply, especially the practice of finding God in all people and in all things.
The opportunities I received to grow in so many areas of my life were incredible.
Even then, I knew how fortunate I was to be surrounded by such wonderful coworkers, students, and families who were filled with faith.
What I could not have known was where those twelve years would eventually lead me.
Looking back now, I can see that through every prayer, every relationship, and every opportunity to grow, God was quietly preparing my heart for Choose Joy Always.
Something to Think About…
What do you think God is preparing your heart for?
Can you even imagine?
grateful living: A Grateful Yes
Gratitude does not require us to understand the entire journey. Like Mary, we can trust God, thank Him for remaining with us, and take our next faithful step—even when the future is uncertain.
Yellow wildflowers growing among gray rocks in a mountain landscape in Yellowstone National Park.
A Thought to Begin
God is so powerful that He can draw good out of any evil. Thanking God in tough times is an act of faith in that promise.
—Reflection inspired by St. Augustine, as quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 311
Scripture
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
— Luke 1:46–47, NABRE
Reflection
It is so easy to thank God for all the beautiful blessings in our lives.
God is good. He has blessed me with so much: good health, a loving spouse, good and kind children, a good job, and a beautiful home.
But when was the last time I thanked God during one of life’s uncertain situations?
What about illness, death, loss, or one of those hardships that simply stops us in our tracks?
I am not saying we should thank God that someone became ill or that someone we love died. We do not have to pretend that our suffering is good or that it does not hurt.
We can, however, thank God for staying with us through it all.
We know He will bring something good from even the most difficult situation.
Our Catholic faith teaches us that difficult and uncertain times can draw us closer to God. These moments help us see how dependent we truly are on God because they remove some of the distractions that get in the way of that relationship.
I have been blessed with the ability to find good in difficult situations.
That does not mean I do not grieve my losses, shed tears during uncertainty, or feel alone in times of darkness.
But somehow, I do not seem to lose hope completely.
I look for God.
Where can I find Him in this situation?
Where is the love?
What brings me a smile?
Where do I see light?
The most difficult time in my life was the death of my baby daughter, Caitlin. She lived a beautiful but very short three months. Her death brought me to my knees.
At face value, how could there ever be anything good in the death of a child?
Caitlin’s death was not good. Losing her was devastating. Yet it has been almost thirty years since Caitlin died, and I can tell you so many stories about how her short life changed the lives of others for the better.
Her life deepened the faith of others.
It changed the direction of people’s lives.
It helped others become more open to God’s invitation to love.
Her life also changed me and deepened my own relationship with God.
God did not take away my grief or make Caitlin’s death good. He stayed with me through my grief and helped me recognize the good that could grow from her beautiful life.
I wonder how Mary felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news she most likely did not fully comprehend.
Scripture tells us that Mary was greatly troubled. Still, she trusted God and answered with her faithful yes:
“May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Then, shortly afterward, in the presence of Elizabeth and with so much uncertainty about her future, Mary was able to proclaim:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (Luke 1:46–47)
Mary did not know how her entire journey would unfold. But she knew God. She trusted Him, thanked Him, and took her next faithful step.
Gratitude does not require us to understand the entire journey.
Like Mary, we can thank God, trust Him, and take the next faithful step—even while the future remains uncertain.
Living a grateful life allows us to find hope in all types of situations. It allows us to see that God is active in our lives. Even during the most difficult times, we can have hope.
It allows us to respond to God with a resounding YES.
Something to Think About…
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NABRE (one of my favorite verses)
Is there a difficult or uncertain situation in my life where God may be drawing out something good?
Today, I will place this situation in God’s hands. I will thank Him for staying with me and ask for the grace to trust Him as I take my next faithful step.
Continue exploring Grateful Living
Love In Action: A love that is lived
Mary’s Visitation shows us that love is more than words. It notices, makes the journey, remains beside another person, and becomes a love that is lived.
White statue of Mary holding the child Jesus beside a leafy plant near a window.
A Thought to Begin
“Goodness works quietly, the power of love is expressed in the unassuming quietness of daily service.”
Scripture
“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste… Mary remained with her about three months.”
—Luke 1:39-56 (NABRE)
Reflection
I received a beautiful Waterford statue of Mary as a bridal shower gift.
I loved it for its beauty, but at the time I did not yet understand the role Mary would come to play in my life or how deeply I would rely on her love and guidance.
That understanding came later.
After our daughter Caitlin died at three months old, I began turning to Mary in a new way.
Mary knew what it was to love a child completely. She also knew what it was to watch her child suffer and to remain at His side when she could not take that suffering away.
I found comfort in not needing to explain my pain to her. She understood a mother’s love and a mother’s grief. I turned to her daily, praying for the grace to live my life in a way that allowed me to feel not only God’s love, but also the enduring love of my precious daughter Caitlin. In time, this prayer led me to seek ways to reach out to others in love and service.
For many years, I most often pictured Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. Her presence comforted me because she understood both a mother’s love and a mother’s sorrow.
But when I reflect on Mary through the lens of Love in Action, I am reminded of the Visitation.
After receiving life-changing news, Mary did not keep to herself. When she learned that Elizabeth was expecting a child in her old age, she went “in haste” to be with her—to share not only her love, but Jesus.
She did more than speak words of love or promise prayer. She made the journey. She showed up and remained with Elizabeth for about three months.
She showed her love by living it.
What may have seemed like a simple visit was, in truth, an incredible act of love: one woman choosing to be present to another.
Mary has taught me, and continues to teach me, that love in action means going wherever love calls us.
It means offering an extra hand.
It means sharing joy, celebrating with another person, and helping them recognize how deeply they are loved and accepted.
It means staying when we cannot remove another’s pain.
It means listening when there are no words that can bring true comfort or reassurance.
It means praying, sitting quietly, sharing hugs and tears, and reminding someone that they are not alone.
Sometimes we are called to go. Sometimes we are called to stay.
Both are acts of love.
Although the original Waterford statue was later broken, the crystal statue of Mary I have today carries the same meaning. It reminds me not only of Mary’s presence during one of the most painful seasons of my life, but also of the kind of love I hope to live each day.
A love that notices.
A love that is willing to journey.
A love that remains.
A love that is lived.
Something to Think About…
“It is we who have to be His love, His compassion in the world of today.”
How might God be asking me to become His love and compassion for someone today?
Continue exploring Love in Action
Joy in prayer: Responding in love
When fear, anger, or frustration rises, Mary shows us another way. Her faithful yes invites us to pause, remain united with God in prayer, and respond in love.
Handwritten prayer about Mary responding in love, displayed on a yellow note beside a computer keyboard.
A Thought to Begin
“Mary does not react in fear. She responds in love.”
—A thought I heard during a Lenten program
Scripture
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’”
Reflection
I am a note-taker.
When I hear something that touches a place in my mind, my heart, and my soul, I write it down. I hang Post-it notes with quotes and meaningful thoughts on my computer, on my cubicle wall, and anywhere else I will see them.
A few months ago, I heard something that stopped me:
“Mary does not react in fear. She responds in love.”
I loved that thought. I wrote it on a Post-it note and taped it to my monitor.
I don’t remember exactly where I heard it. I think it may have been during a Lenten program from Ascension or Hallow—two Catholic resources I often listen to. Although I have not been able to confirm where the words originated, I remember how deeply they touched me.
Mary does not react in fear.
She responds in love.
Wow.
It is such a beautiful thought—and such helpful guidance for me. I try not to be a reactive person, but the truth is, I often am.
Luke tells us that Mary was greatly troubled, and Gabriel told her not to be afraid. Mary was not untouched by fear. But she did not allow fear to determine her response. She listened, asked her question, trusted God, and said yes.
Since writing those words down, I have read and prayed with them several times a day.
The past seven months have brought both tremendous joy and tremendous fear to our family. Two of our sons were married—very joy-filled moments. During that same time, my husband suffered two strokes—very frightening moments.
Through the joy, the fear, and the uncertainty of this season, those words have continued to guide me.
Mary does not react in fear. She responds in love.
Then one day, as I read the note again, something more happened. I was suddenly filled with new thoughts, a deeper meaning, and an even greater love for the guidance Mary gives me.
A prayer began to fill my heart:
Mary does not react in fear.
She responds in love.
Mary does not react in anger.
She responds in love.
Mary does not react in frustration.
She responds in love.
Mary does not react in stress.
She responds in love.
Mary does not react with impatience.
She responds in love.
Guide me, Blessed Mother.
Teach me to live as you lived
and to respond in love always.
Mary, pray with me and help me remain united to your Son.
Amen.
I received this prayer as a gift from the Holy Spirit and as a beautiful invitation from God, offered through the guidance of the Blessed Mother. As I continue to unwrap these words, I see God showing me where to take the feelings that lead me away from Him. He is teaching me how to let my life move closer to Mary’s faithful yes.
Believe me when I tell you that I am truly a work in progress. But I have more hope now that, little by little, I may be inching closer.
Something to Think About…
Where in my life might God be inviting me to pause before I react and, with Mary’s guidance, respond in love?
Continue exploring Joy in Prayer
Tonight’s Reflection: God, So Here’s What Happened
The Ignatian Examen taught me to look over my day and notice where God was present. Tonight, let’s invite Mary to join us as we bring our joys, struggles, and ordinary moments of our day to her Son.
Our Lady of Peace Shrine in Pine Bluffs Wyoming.
A Thought to Begin
“Let us ask, at the end of the day… what happened today in my heart?”
—Pope Francis, General Audience, October 19, 2022
Scripture
“Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts.”
Reflection
My days have become so full that many nights, the moment my head hits the pillow, I am out.
That means I have to make a real effort to spend a little time talking with our Heavenly Father before I fall asleep.
Does your nightly routine include a few quiet moments with Him?
I was fortunate to spend many years working at a Jesuit high school. It was there that I learned the beautiful and powerful practice of the Ignatian Examen.
As an entire school community, we would pause near the end of the day and reflect on where God had been present throughout our day.
Those few quiet moments helped me recognize that God had been there through it all—in the people I encountered, the moments that brought joy, the challenges that tested me, and the ordinary details I might otherwise have missed.
What I came to love about the Examen was that it helped me see my day differently.
Instead of ending the day focused only on what went wrong, I began to notice where God had been present, what brought me joy, what remained in my heart, and where He might be inviting me to grow.
It taught me to ask not:
“God, where were You today?”
But rather:
“God, where did I see You today?”
God is always surrounding us. The Examen helps us pause long enough to recognize Him.
When we first began creating Tonight’s Reflection, I knew the Ignatian Examen would be its foundation.
Still, I felt something was missing.
While working on a special reflection for Mary’s birthday, I realized what it was. I realized that Tonight’s Reflection needed to include Mary.
Choose Joy Always is about opening ourselves to the invitations God places before us and not being afraid to answer with a big yes, as Mary teaches us.
Each night, we invite Mary to join us as we look back over our day and bring it to her Son—with all its joys, successes, laughter, tears, struggles, and moments that could have gone better.
I hope that, with Mary beside us, we will become more open to God’s invitation. That we will learn to return to our yes, no matter how our day unfolded. And that, with her help, we will continue learning how to choose joy every day.
Tonight’s Reflection is guided by the wisdom of the Ignatian Examen, but it follows the Choose Joy Always path.
The complete Tonight’s Reflection prayer can be found in The Prayer Room.
What a beautiful way to end our day—with God and our Blessed Mother beside us. Together, we bring it all to her Son.
And tomorrow, with God’s grace, we begin again with another faithful yes.
Something to Think About…
Before you go to sleep tonight, pause and tell God what happened today.
The Journey: Where God Found Me
Come… let me tell you where God found me, because I think you may discover He has been walking beside you the whole time.
A peaceful tree-lined path beneath a canopy of Aspen trees named Aspen Alley, Carbon County, Wyoming
A Thought to Begin
“You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
—Saint Augustine, Confessions, Book I, Chapter 1
Scripture
“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.”
Reflection
Come… let me tell you where God found me, because I think you may discover He has been walking beside you the whole time.
The Journey is where I share the stories that have shaped my faith.
Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time looking back, praying, reflecting, and discerning where God has been present in my life. These are the moments that have helped form me into the woman of faith I am today. They are my stories, but I have a feeling they may sound very familiar to you.
Because, in truth, they really aren’t just my stories.
They are the story of a loving God patiently drawing one of His daughters closer to Him.
As I look back over the joys and sorrows, the questions and the answers, the detours and the celebrations, I can now see something I often couldn’t recognize in the moment—God was always there. Sometimes I knew it immediately. Other times, I didn’t recognize His gentle hand until years later.
The names, places, and circumstances may be different, but the feelings are the same. We’ve all experienced uncertainty, doubt, loneliness, hope, joy, love, and the quiet confidence that grows as we learn to trust Him more deeply.
There is something beautiful that happens when we hear another person’s story. It often helps us recognize God’s fingerprints in our own lives. We begin to remember the moments He carried us, guided us, comforted us, or quietly waited for us to notice He had never left.
The Journey is one of the Stepping Stones along the Path of Joy. Through the stories we share, we will continue taking faithful steps toward a closer relationship with Jesus—the One who walks beside us and leads us to a life of true joy in Him.
My prayer is that as I share where God found me, you will begin to see where He has been finding you all along.
Together, we’ll continue this journey, one faithful step, one grateful heart, and one joyful yes at a time.
Something to Think About…
Let’s stop for a moment and think about the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They had walked with Jesus without recognizing Him. Only when they paused at the table and He broke the bread were their eyes opened. Today, take a moment to pause and ask Jesus to help you recognize how He has been walking beside you, too. If possible, go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Joy in Prayer: Are You There, God?
I thought everyone else had a direct line to God while mine must have been disconnected. Little by little, I discovered prayer is more than words—it is sharing my life with the One who loves me most.
A Thought to Begin
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
Scripture
“When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Reflection
Have you ever been sitting in a Bible study and heard someone say, “God told me…”?
I know I have.
I’d sit there wondering, Why doesn’t God talk to me?
I honestly thought everyone else had a direct line to God while mine must have been disconnected.
The problem wasn’t God. It was me.
I didn’t realize that God speaks in many different ways, and I didn’t understand that I needed to spend time quietly listening. I thought prayer was all about reciting the prayers I had memorized as a child and giving God my laundry list of the changes I wanted Him to make in my life.
What I eventually discovered changed not only the way I looked at prayer, but the way I experienced my relationship with God.
I discovered that prayer is so much more than the beautiful prayers I memorized as a child, though they are still an important part of my prayer life. Prayer is how I spend time with the One who loves me most.
I don’t remember one single moment when everything changed. It happened little by little. I had been participating in Bible study for a while and was intentionally looking for ways to grow in my faith. Then one day I realized I had been carrying on an ongoing conversation with God throughout my day. I found myself talking with Him when I felt anxious, when things were going well, when I had questions, and even when I simply wanted to thank Him for something beautiful.
Prayer is no longer just something I do.
It is how I share my life with the One who loves me most.
As my friendship with God continues to grow, I continue to discover the beautiful ways the Catholic Church invites us to pray. Every form of prayer, every devotion, every saint, every spirituality, and every season of the Church has something to teach us about drawing closer to God.
In Joy in Prayer, we’ll explore these treasures together. We’ll discover different ways of praying, learn from the saints, experience the richness of the Church’s spiritual traditions, and find prayers and devotions that meet us exactly where we are on our journey.
Whether you’ve been praying for years or you’re just beginning to wonder how to have a deeper conversation with God, you are welcome here. We are simply fellow travelers, learning to recognize His voice, trust His love, and draw closer to Him one prayer at a time.
Something to Think About…
I challenge you to take a few minutes today to sit quietly with God. Be still. Quiet your words, set down what is in your hands, and gently bring your attention back to God whenever your mind wanders. Simply remain with Him, keeping your heart open to His voice.
My prayer is that in the stillness, you will recognize the invitation God is extending to each of us—the invitation to share our lives with Him.
Love in Action: In Deed
Who has God placed in your path today? I am learning that living my faith means noticing those everyday opportunities to share His love—and choosing to respond.
A Thought to Begin
“Love ought to show itself in deeds more than in words.”
— St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises
“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do.”
Scripture
“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”
Reflection
At the end of Mass, I often hear these words:
“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
I cannot honestly say there have been many times that I stayed and reflected on those words or considered how God was inviting me to live them.
But I do think about the spirit of those words often.
I don’t believe they simply mean volunteering at the soup kitchen once a month and calling it good. I believe they are an invitation to a way of life.
As I have come to understand God’s love in my own life, I have also come to realize that His desire is for each of us to share that love with others—not only with our family and friends, but with every person He places in our path.
Over the years, two saints have especially shaped the way I try to live out that calling: St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Teresa of Calcutta.
St. Ignatius reminds me that love is shown more in deeds than in words.
Mother Teresa reminds me that it is not how much I do, but how much love I put into what I do.
Together, they remind me that every act of love matters. God isn’t asking me to do everything. He is simply asking me to love the people He places in my path, using the unique gifts He has given me.
That became a life-changing realization.
I began to notice the opportunities God places before me every single day.
When someone unexpectedly comes back into my life, I often find myself asking:
“Lord, why have You placed this person back in my path? How are You inviting me to love them? What do You want me to learn?”
Have you ever wondered why God places certain people in your path, no matter how small a role they seem to play?
Maybe it is the cashier at the grocery store.
Maybe it is the elderly neighbor.
Maybe it is the coworker who needs an encouraging word.
Maybe it is the young mother struggling with her little ones at Mass.
I have come to believe that no one enters our lives by accident. Every person God places in our path is an opportunity to share His love.
Will we notice?
Will we take the opportunity to reach out?
Will we choose to become the hands and feet of Christ?
After all, that is what life is really all about—sharing God’s love.
Our family has a simple motto:
“The heart is happiest when it beats for others.”
I have found those words to be beautifully simple…and profoundly true.
Something to Think About…
Who has God placed in my path today, and how might He be inviting me to love them?
My prayer is that together we will begin to recognize the people God places in our path and discover that when we share God’s love with others, our own hearts become happiest.
Because love is never wasted.
Every act of kindness, every encouraging word, every quiet sacrifice, and every moment of compassion becomes another way Christ loves the world through us.
Grateful Living: Noticing God in the Ordinary
When was the last time you were astonished by something ordinary? A dear friend taught me how slowing down and paying attention can open our eyes to God’s love, and let that gratefulness overflow into the lives of others.
A Thought to Begin
“Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you. And then it will really be a good day.”
Scripture
“How can we possibly give thanks to God for all the joy we feel…?”
Reflection
When was the last time you were astonished?
Maybe it was the beauty of the sunrise this morning, your children laughing as they played in the afternoon sun, an unexpected kindness you never saw coming, or something so ordinary you almost missed it.
These astonishments—and so many other signs of God’s love—surround us every day.
My dad always used to say to me, “Everybody has a story.”
He was right.
Our stories are made up of all our experiences—our joys and sadness, our excitement and challenges, and the many amazing ordinary moments that fill our days. When we learn to look closely at our stories, we begin to notice God in the small details.
A dear friend of mine, Deb, taught me the beauty of ordinary moments.
She did not need something dramatic to be filled with wonder. She was fully present to whoever was in front of her. She became excited about what was happening in their life, noticed the smallest details, and found joy in things most of us might have passed by.
Being with Deb made you feel seen.
Her delight was contagious. She had a way of saying, “Look!” without always using the word. She helped the people around her recognize that even the smallest moments could be filled with beauty, meaning, and joy.
It was Deb who first introduced me to Mary Oliver’s words and to Louie Schwartzberg’s TEDxSF talk, Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.
Looking back, that feels fitting. Deb did not simply tell me to notice the wonder around me.
She showed me how.
Unfortunately, our lives can become so filled with distractions that our view of these astonishments becomes blocked. We move quickly from one task to the next, thinking about what has already happened or worrying about what still needs to be done.
Meanwhile, God continues to surround us with signs of His love, patiently waiting for us to notice.
I have found that when I am filled with worry and stress and become closed off by my own thoughts, I stop noticing the things that once astonished me.
I hate to sound corny, but I stop seeing the beauty in the world. Life begins to feel plain, dull, worrisome, and just plain blah.
It can be difficult to break out of that cycle. I become so focused on my own stress and worry that I lose awareness of everything around me.
I become simply unaware.
The opposite of grateful living is not ingratitude.
It is unawareness.
That is when I need to pause and look again.
I need to notice what is in my life, who is in my life, and where God may be showing me His love.
As I begin to pay attention, wonder returns. The ordinary begins to feel extraordinary, and I recognize that God has been present all along.
Grateful living is more than simply seeing the good. It is the art of slowing down, paying attention to the little things, allowing ourselves to be filled with wonder and love, and then sharing that astonishment with others.
It is when we ask ourselves:
“God, was that You I just saw?”
God is always surrounding us. Grateful living opens our eyes, allowing us to see His presence in our ordinary, everyday lives.
This is the kind of life I want to live.
A life that notices God.
A life that receives His love with wonder.
A life that allows gratefulness to overflow into the blessings all around us.
Perhaps that is the invitation of grateful living: to slow down, open our eyes, and allow the wonder of God’s presence to change the way we move through the world.
When we begin to notice the blessings all around us, gratefulness does not remain quietly within us.
It becomes joy, kindness, generosity, and love.
It overflows.
Something to Think About…
Take a few minutes today to watch Louie Schwartzberg’s TEDxSF talk, Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.
As you watch, ask yourself: What ordinary blessing might God be inviting me to notice today, and how can I allow my gratefulness to overflow into someone else’s life?
Today’s Invite: You Are Invited!
God is always inviting us closer—through Scripture, ordinary moments, and the quiet nudges of the heart. Will you answer with a resounding yes?
Wild coneflowers glowing in warm sunlight.
A Thought to Begin
“God’s love is free. He asks for nothing in return; all he wants is for his love to be accepted.”
—Pope Francis, @Pontifex, June 23, 2015
Scripture
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Reflection
Every day, God invites each of us to join Him.
Here’s the beautiful thing about God’s invitation: He wants you to come just as you are. You don't need to put on a special appearance. He loves you with your messy hair, your yoga pants, and your long to-do list. He simply wants to walk with you.
“What? You didn’t get the invitation?”
Oh, but you did.
You simply did not recognize it.
God extends His personal invitation to us throughout the day. It may come through the Scripture you read in the morning, something a friend says, a song on your playlist, a flower blooming in your garden, or a quiet nudge in your heart.
Our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can ever imagine. He is constantly reminding us of His love, gently calling us closer, and waiting with open arms to welcome us.
All we need to do is accept His invitation by saying “yes.”
Today’s Invite is offered as a gentle companion throughout the week, helping us recognize God’s presence, listen for His voice, and respond with a faithful yes. As we return to it each day through prayer and reflection, we begin to discover that God is continually inviting us to grow in faith, hope, and love.
The Path of Joy is the path God has already shown us through Jesus—a path that leads us closer to Him and to the true joy found in His presence.
Each time we accept His invitation, we take another faithful step along the Path of Joy.
Something to Think About…
How might God be inviting you to notice His presence, receive His love, or draw closer to Him today?
God’s invitation is already waiting for you. Pause and notice how He may be reaching out, then respond with one faithful “yes.”
Today’s Invite: Morning Prayer
Begin the day by choosing God, opening your heart, and saying YES to His invitation to walk with Him throughout the day.
Lord Jesus,
Today, I choose You.
Please take my hand and guide me on this journey.
Fill my heart with gratitude for all that You place before me today.
Help me keep You present in my prayers, my activities, and all that I think, say, and do today.
Help me serve You with love and humility.
Help me treat all those I encounter with Your love and dignity.
Give me the grace to embrace Your invitation today with Mary’s faithful “yes.”
Gently guide me in taking my next faithful step that brings me closer to You.
For I know that true joy is found in You alone.
Stay with me, Lord, always.
Amen
Tonight’s Reflection
End the day with a gentle prayer to help you see where God walked with you today, so you can give thanks, ask for forgiveness, and rest in His love.
A Simple Evening Examen
Take a few quiet moments with God. There are no perfect words or thoughts. Simply bring Him whatever your heart is dwelling on.
1. Invite
Heavenly Father, thank You for this day and all that You put before me. Thank You for giving me the courage to choose to live my life with You today.
Help me quiet my heart and look back on this day with You.
Blessed Mother Mary, I ask that you join me as I review this day.
2. Give Thanks
Lord, help me recognize the gifts of this day—the ones that brought me joy and the ones I may have overlooked in difficult moments. I thank You, Lord, for each and every one of these moments.
Pause and give thanks for one or two.
3. Review
As I remember my day, where did I feel close to You, and where did I struggle?
Let a moment come to mind without forcing it.
4. Respond
Lord, here is what is on my heart—all my distractions, my worries, and my joys.
Take a moment to share them with Him, just as you are.
5. Look Forward
Father, I place this day in Your hands. I ask Your forgiveness for any time I may have turned away from You.
Please give me the grace and the gifts I need to grow closer to You tomorrow.
Help me rest in Your love tonight and begin anew tomorrow, trusting that You are with me always.
Tomorrow, Lord, I will choose You again.
Amen.
Optional Closing: The Memorare
If you wish, pause to bring your intentions to God and ask for Mary’s intercession. Then pray:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.