Let us take time to realize the blessings we have in our life

It is getting to be that time again.  The stifling heat has finally departed, leaving very temperate temperatures.  
We are on the cusp of the holiday season and in just a few days we will take part in the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving.  It is appropriate that we individually give thanks to God.
This is a great time of year to give thanks to friends and family for all they have done for us.  Maybe a parent has helped us pay a bill or given us an encouraging word. Maybe someone pitched in and helped with a chore. Maybe a stranger smiled at you or opened a door. Even if we don’t have the opportunity to say thank you, we can say a prayer for them.
The other thing we should try is this: notice the gifts that you are being given by family, friends or strangers.  Sometimes we don’t seem to notice or at least we don’t acknowledge we have been given a gift.  Let’s take time to notice all the gifts in our life.  A friend of mine once told me that he would make a list of things he should be thankful for.  He found that he had an amazing array of gifts to be thankful for.  
Maybe we should take a few minutes each day until Thanksgiving and spend a few minutes reflecting on all of our blessings.  I bet that if we each started to make a list of our blessings that we would quickly run out of space.
May God bless you with His peace.  May He console all who are mourning.  May God bless us all with hearts full of gratitude!
I am certainly grateful that you have taken the time to read this reflection.
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected].
For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org