A Few of my Favorite Things: Thankfulness and Prayer

Friends,

As I’m sure you all know, there has been a lot of tragedy happening as of late. The horrible incident in Newtown, and I can’t even contemplate the pain of the families of the little ones and teachers lost. I am hoping and praying they know their loved ones are in a better place. Unfortunately, there are other things happening even on a local level. Deaths of young people in my county from car wrecks, fatal illness and disease among loved ones who deserve nothing more than to have a peaceful, healthy Christmas. Hurricanes ripping the lives people knew away from them, and a government who is increasingly trying to lessen the value of human life. I will continue to pray for these misfortunes, and I encourage you to do so as well. With all that has been going on, I felt the need to sit and count a few of my blessings. Especially at Christmas time, the time of the year we should be most humble, we tend to get caught up in the gifts and what we receive rather than what we give and what we already have. So, here are a few of my blessings…

I am blessed with a loving family that is always there for me no matter what.

I am blessed with a warm house, a bed to sleep in, and good food to eat.

I’m blessed with my Catholic faith, that has given me more peace at times than anything of this world could.

I am thankful for my health and the health of my family.

I am thankful for my school and everything I learn there and all the people I’ve met because of it, and for the teachers who work so hard to help us learn what we need to be successful, and for a school where I can go to the chapel on a daily basis.

I am thankful for being able to express myself through all kinds of art and use that in hopes of glorifying God.

I am thankful for every single friend I know, for their uniqueness and the happiness they each bring to my life.

While those are only a few things, and I do not show gratitude for them near as often as I should, it helps me come to realize that these aren’t rights but gifts. I hope that while there is tragedy in the world, that it can also be used to help us see what a gift our lives are and that there is a lot to live for and a lot for us to give of ourselves.

Love,

Konnor with a K