grateful living: A Grateful Yes

Yellow wildflowers growing among gray rocks in a mountain landscape.

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.

— Inspired by St. Augustine, Enchiridion 11, 3, as referenced 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.

Joy in prayer: Responding 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.’”

—Luke 1:38 (NABRE)

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?