Deo Gratias

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:18 NAB)

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude benefits every aspect of our lives, so we should all pause now and then and reflect on what we can be thankful for. As the old hymn goes, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one…” Fellow Catholic blogger Colleen Spiro hosts Deo Gratias (Latin for “Thanks be to God”), a weekly meme where we share what we’re thankful for. Please join us every Wednesday as we count the blessings in our lives.

• I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel of unemployment I’ve been wandering through for months now. First, I’ve been offered a customer service job with a company, which is scheduled to begin in a couple more weeks. However, yesterday I went in for an interview at a local employment/headhunter agency yesterday and learned about some other job opportunities that might prove better a better fit for me, both in terms of pay, schedule, and type of work. The interviewer said he thought I was a ‘shoo-in’ for a job at an insurance agency that would be very similar to my previous job, and I’m waiting to hear back on that one.
• Eucharistic Adoration. Our parish has opened a little perpetual adoration chapel, and I’ve joined the volunteers who will be praying there regularly. During my assigned hour this Sunday morning, I really felt God’s peace as I prayed and meditated before the blessed sacrament. I’m so thankful for this new opportunity to worship our Lord and grow spiritually.
• Lent has arrived! Rather than focusing on austerity, I like to view this season as a time to draw closer to God and grow in holiness. Each year, our parish distributes The Little Black Book, which contains daily Lenten reflections. I enjoy getting to learn interesting facts about saints, church history, and various spiritual practices from around the world. And of course today is Ash Wednesday, and I look forward to mass this evening as a beautiful kickoff for Lent.
• Old Man Winter decided to grace us with a last bit of snow and ice on Monday evening through Tuesday morning. While I’m ready for spring to be sprung, it was a treat to wake up to a blanket of white yesterday, especially since this will out of all likelihood be the last of the ‘white stuff’ that we’ll see until next winter.

For these and many other blessings, Deo gratias!